Official: Ali Badra Diabaté signs pro deal with KRC Genk | OneFootball

The 18-year-old Ivorian defender commits to a five-year contract with Jong Genk

Ali Badra Diabaté / KRC Genk

Ali Badra Diabaté has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with KRC Genk on September 9, 2025. The Ivorian centre-back leaves Leader Sporting Club de Marcory to join the reserve team of the Belgian top-flight outfit.

Ali Badra Diabaté chose KRC Genk to kick-start his career on European soil. The 18-year-old has departed Ivory Coast to link up with Jong Genk, the club’s youth squad in Limburg. Despite attracting interest from several European clubs, the defender opted for Genk’s sporting project, drawn by the stability and strong reputation of their academy.

The Belgian club officially announced his arrival, outlining the terms of a contract running until June 2030. Standing at 1.90 meters, Diabaté boasts a versatile profile, comfortable both in central defense and midfield. His physical presence and game reading ability are expected to help him make an immediate impact in set-piece situations and build-up play.

"Ali brings great composure on the ball thanks to his excellent vision and technical skills, and he also has outstanding passing accuracy. His maturity and physical presence provide extra stability to the Jong Genk squad," said Stijn Haeldermans, technical coordinator of Jong Genk.