Babacar Diene

Babacar Diene
Personal information
Full name Babacar Diene
Date of birth (1996-10-26) October 26, 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Thiès, Senegal
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Forward
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Rider Broncs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 FC Motown
2024 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 23 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Babacar Diene (born October 26, 1996) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward. Before becoming a professional, Diene played for FC Motown in USL League Two.

Early life and education

Diene was born to Mody Diene in 1996 in Thiès. He has a younger sister, Khoudia.[1]

Diene graduated from CEM Ballabey High School before attending Rider University.[1]

Career

Amateur and college

In 2022, Diene played for FC Motown in USL League Two.[2] He also helped them win the NPSL title.[3]

Later that year, he joined the Rider Broncs. In 2022, he played all 17 of the Broncs's games and started in 16, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists. The following year, he scored 13 goals and 3 assists across 20 games. The following season, he scored 13 goals and 3 assists across 20 games.[1] On November 1, 2023, Diene scored a hattrick for the Broncs against Saint Peter's in the 4–1 win.[4] While with the Broncs, Diene played with Momo Diop, who originated from the same town in Senegal.[5]

Professional

In January 2024, Diene signed with the USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[3][6][7] Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley praised Diene for his speed and finishing ability.[8] He made his debut against New Mexico United on March 9 in the 1-0 loss.[9] In the third game of the season against Louisville City FC, Diene got his first goal contribution, assisting Edward Kizza's goal in the 3-1 loss.[10][11] A few weeks later, Diene scored his first professional goal, finding the back of the net in the 3-1 win over Phoenix Rising FC.[12][13][14] He became a free agent following Pittsburgh's 2024 season.[15]

Honours

Club

References

  1. ^ a b c "Babacar Diene - Men's Soccer". Rider University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  2. ^ Wolpin, Zach (2022-06-28). "FC Motown STA Roster". FC Motown. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  3. ^ a b "Pair of new additions signed to Hounds roster". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  4. ^ "Diene Records Hat Trick, Men's Soccer Defeats Saint Peter's, 4-1". Rider University Athletics. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  5. ^ "Babacar Diene and Momo Diop, the Senegalese connection, help send Rider men's soccer to NCAA Tournament". Trentonian. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  6. ^ "Babacar Diene Signs Professional Contract With Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC". Rider University Athletics. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  7. ^ Krysinsky, John (2024-01-25). "Riverhounds sign forward Babacar Diene and defender Jake Lent-Koop plus announce release of midfielder DZ Harmon". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  8. ^ "Pittsburgh adds forward Babacar Diene for new season". USL Championship. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  9. ^ "New Mexico slips past Hounds in opener". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  10. ^ "Hounds unable to pick up points at Louisville". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  11. ^ Coreschi, Colton (2024-03-23). "Riverhounds' stumble at Louisville, 3-1, to extend season opening season losing streak to three matches". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  12. ^ "Defensive lapses cost Phoenix Rising in loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  13. ^ "Hounds topple reigning champs in Phoenix". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  14. ^ "Riverhounds take down defending champion Phoenix Rising FC". TribLIVE.com. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  15. ^ "First roster moves for 2025 announced".