Habib Diarra joins Roc Nation after World Cup as ex-Sunderland quartet lift golf trophy | OneFootball

Habib Diarra has joined Roc Nation Sports International and pledged to give everything for Sunderland and Senegal after featuring at the World Cup. Sunderland Echo reports that the midfielder made the switch after his first season at the Stadium of Light.

Founded by Jay-Z in 2013, RNSI lists Brazil international Vinicius Junior, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and England rugby union lock Maro Itoje among its clients. Diarra is the 12th player on its books to have appeared at the World Cup finals.

He helped Senegal reach the round-of-32 before a 3-2 defeat by Belgium ended their run earlier this month. The 22-year-old now aims to impress for Sunderland in a season when they will compete in the Europa League for the first time in their history.

He described the move as a proud step for his family, saying he wanted representatives who understood his off-field ambitions and cared for him as a person. Roc Nation Sports International vice-president for Brazil, Marcos Casseb, praised his talent and said the agency offers round-the-clock, white-glove support to elevate athletes on and off the field.

Elsewhere, four former Sunderland players beat Newcastle United and Middlesbrough to win the Cock O' The North Golf Trophy at Ramside Hall. The quartet of Richie Pitt, Kevin Phillips, Gordon Armstrong and Danny Collins topped a Stableford-format event on the Prince Bishops Course, with Pitt, the SFPA chairman, organising the revived competition alongside course ranger Berwick Hall.

Newcastle fielded ex-England centre back Steve Howey, while Middlesbrough included Gary Pallister, Craig Hignett and father and son duo Nick and Jack Barmby. Sunderland finished with 117 points, Boro 113 and Newcastle 90.

Source: Sunderland Echo