Mohamed Baba Diomande (born 30 October 2001) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or left winger for side Rangers and the Ivory Coast national team.
Growing up in Wassakara in the Yopougon suburb of the Ivorian capital of Abidjan, Diomande came to the Danish club FC Nordsjælland through the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana. He made his professional debut on 19 February 2020 in a Danish Superliga match against AC Horsens, starting at central midfield in the 6âÂÂ0 home win before being replaced in the 60th minute by Clinton Antwi. Diomande was subsequently praised by head coach Flemming Pedersen, who stated that "[h]e covers a large area of the pitch [...] he's a good dribbler and physically strong. When he adjusts to the Superliga, he will also become one of our most important players." He finished his first season as a senior player with 15 total appearances.
Diomande scored his first goal for Nordsjælland on 13 September 2020, the first matchday of the 2020âÂÂ21 season, in a 3âÂÂ2 loss to Brøndby IF.
On 26 January 2024, Diomande joined Scottish Premiership side Rangers on a loan with an obligation to buy deal. He made his debut for Rangers on 6 February 2024, coming on as a 85th minute substitute, replacing Todd Cantwell during a Scottish Premiership match at home to Aberdeen. He scored his first Rangers goal in a 3âÂÂ0 victory away to St Johnstone on 18 February 2024.
On 15 December 2024, Diomande scored Rangers second goal in the 2024 Scottish League Cup final.
Born in the Ivory Coast, Diomande is of Ghanaian descent. He was called up to the Ivory Coast U23s in March 2023. He has since been called up to the Ghana National Team due to his early career.
Diomande made his debut for the Ivory Coast national team on 7 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Gabon at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. He substituted Jean Michaël Seri in the 78th minute of a 1âÂÂ0 Ivory Coast victory.
Individual