Abdoulaye Diallo

Abdoulaye Diallo (born 30 March 1992 in Reims) is a French-born Senegalese footballer who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais F.C.. He is a former graduate of the prestigious Clairefontaine academy and joined Rennes in 2007. Diallo made his professional debut, at the age of 17, on 29 November 2009 in a league match against Olympique Lyonnais.

Football career

Early career

Diallo began his football career playing for his hometown club Stade Reims joining the club as a youth player. In 2004, he was selected to attend the Clairefontaine academy and spent three years at the facility training at the academy during the weekdays and playing for Reims on the weekend. Prior to leaving Clairefontaine, Diallo agreed to join the nationally recognized youth academy of Stade Rennais on an aspirant (youth) contract. Rennes had been scouting the player since 2004.

Rennes

Diallo joined Rennes and was among a host of internationally recognized youth talent the club had comprised. The talent included youth internationals Elliot Sorin, Wesley Yamnaine, Jérémy Helan, who now plays for Manchester City in England, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Axel N'Gando. Diallo initially joined the club's under-18 team who were playing in their own league, the Championnat National Under-18. Rennes finished in 4th-place position missing out on the playoffs. The 2008–09 season saw Diallo earn a place in the club's Coupe Gambardella team with the club attempting to defend their title from the previous season. In the tournament, the goalkeeper appeared in three matches and conceded four goals. Rennes suffered elimination in the Round of 16 losing to Le Havre.