The Malian midfielder leaves Egyptian giants on a free transfer after six trophy-laden seasons
Aliou Dieng has officially completed his move from Al Ahly SC to Valencia CF, closing out a chapter in Egypt that included roughly 250 appearances and 16 trophies. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder joins the Spanish club on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.
For a player who arrived at Al Ahly back in July 2019, the numbers tell a pretty compelling story. Sixteen trophies in six seasons at one of Africa’s most decorated clubs is the kind of resume that gets you a seat at a La Liga table.
From Cairo to the Costa del Azahar
Dieng’s path to Valencia wasn’t exactly a straight line. The Malian international, born on October 16, 1997, first caught Valencia’s attention during the January 2026 transfer window. The Spanish side made their interest known but had to wait for the deal to materialize.
The agreement is reported to be a multi-year contract, believed to cover two or three seasons. Dieng is scheduled to link up with his new teammates at Valencia’s pre-season training camp on July 6, 2026.
What Dieng built at Al Ahly
He signed a five-year contract when he first joined in July 2019, and quickly established himself as a fixture in the squad. The trophy haul during his tenure, 16 in total, underlines just how dominant Al Ahly remained throughout his time there.
His journey did include a detour. During the 2024-2025 season, Dieng was loaned out to Al-Kholood, a move that added a different dimension to his playing experience.
