Jose Mourinho has now signed three African players during his managerial career at Real Madrid, with Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande becoming the latest name to join the group alongside Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien and Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
Diomande’s arrival, which is all but done, means Mourinho has once again turned to African talent during his time in charge of the Spanish giants.
The Ivorian is the latest of three African players signed by the Portuguese manager at Real Madrid, following the previous acquisitions of Essien and Adebayor.
The connection between Diomande and Essien is particularly notable, with both players representing Ivory Coast and Ghana respectively among the African players Mourinho has brought to the club.
Essien was one of the first African players Mourinho signed during his time at Real Madrid.
The Ghana international became part of the Portuguese manager’s squad back in 2012, adding his experience and midfield qualities to the team.
The former Ghana midfielder’s move was preceded by the arrival of Adebayor in 2011 on loan from Manchester City.
The Togolese forward joined Essien as part of the manager’s recruitment of players from the continent.
Now, Diomande, from RB Leipzig, has been added to that list, making it three African players signed by Mourinho during his spell as Real Madrid manager.
The 21-year-old Ivorian’s inclusion in the group underlines the continued presence of African footballers in Mourinho’s Real Madrid story.
While Essien and Adebayor came before him, Diomande represents the latest chapter in the manager’s relationship with African players at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Essien remains a significant figure in the story, having been among the African players Mourinho brought to Real Madrid.
With Diomande now joining the group, Mourinho’s record of signing African players at Real Madrid has reached three, linking the Ivorian with Ghana’s Essien and Togo’s Adebayor in the manager’s history at the club.
