AC Milan have completed the signing of French defender Sankhoun Diawara from Troyes for approximately €3 million, adding a versatile left-footed option to Ruben Amorim's defensive setup.
The 20-year-old, who stands 1.90m tall, arrives after helping Troyes win the Ligue 2 title last season — securing the club's return to the top flight. Diawara, nicknamed "Papis", made 17 appearances across league and cup competitions from February onwards, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Diawara is primarily a centre-back but can also operate at left-back or as a left wing-back, a quality that appealed to Amorim, who deploys a three-man defensive system at Milanello. The Frenchman is expected to serve as backup for Strahinja Pavlovic on the left side of the back three.
Born in Paris to parents of Senegalese, Malian and Guinean origin, Diawara came through the youth ranks at Solitaires and Paris-Charenton before joining Troyes in 2020. He has represented France at Under-19 level on two occasions and is regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in French football.
Milan moved swiftly to secure his signature, beating Scottish champions Rangers to the deal. The acquisition reflects the club's renewed focus on data-driven recruitment under Bobby Gardiner and head of scouting Donato Lomonte, as part of Gerry Cardinale's restructuring of the sporting directorate.
Diawara is known for his technical ability on the ball, his range of passing — including 40-metre switches of play — and his composure in build-up. He also wears a white wristband in the style of Karim Benzema and is known for pre-planned celebrations with teammates.
Sources
- https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/26-07-2026/milan-con-diawara-ha-preso-uno-dei-difensori-piu-promettenti-in-circ.shtml
