Diack action photo copyright of FC Nantes/Arnaud Duret
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids have acquired midfielder Lamine Diack on a six-month loan from France’s FC Nantes with an option to make the transfer permanent, the club announced today. The signing is pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa; Diack’s loan will run through July 2024, and the midfielder will occupy an international slot on the Rapids’ roster.
“We’re delighted to add a player of Lamine’s quality to our roster,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “Lamine is a young, powerful and physical midfielder. His physical prowess and technical acumen make him a valuable asset on both ends of the pitch. We look forward to welcoming him to the club and getting him integrated as quickly as possible.”
A native of Dakar, Senegal, Diack joins the Rapids following a loan spell with FC Nantes in France’s Ligue 1, where his move was made permanent. The defensive midfielder previously joined MKE Ankaragücü in 2022, competing in Turkey’s Süper Lig. Diack scored two goals in 26 appearances, contributing to their league victory that same year. Additionally, he scored once in six appearances in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası.
“We are incredibly happy to bring Lamine to our club. He is a ball winning, dynamic central midfielder who fits our playing style very well. Lamine is also a person of high character which also made him extremely appealing,” said Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas.
Diack joined Oslo Football Academy at age 18 before signing his first professional contract with FC Shkupi of the Macedonian First Football League on July 1, 2019. While with the \Pëllumbat, \Diack scored five goals and delivered four assists across 52 appearances in league play complemented by three appearances in Europa League Qualifying across two seasons with the club. On August 11, 2021, Diack joined Tuzlaspor of the TFF First League (Trendyol 1. Lig) where he recorded two goals and three assists across 32 appearances for the Turkish side. Diack had a brief stint with Fenerbahçe of Süper Lig before joining MKE Ankaragücü in 2022, also of the Süper Lig, he scored two goals across 26 appearances, helping them win the league in 2022, complimented by one goal across six appearances in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası.
At the international youth level, Diack has represented Senegal at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2019, helping his side reach the finals.
TRANSACTION: The Colorado Rapids acquire midfielder Lamine Diack from FC Nantes on a six-month loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent, on Feb. 1, 2024
Lamine Diack
Pronunciation: Lah-MEEN JAK
Position: Midfielder
Height: *6-1
*Weight: 182
Birthdate: November 15, 2000
Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
Nationality: Senegal
