What has Valencia Club de Fútbol announced?

Valencia Club de Fútbol has confirmed that Aliou Dieng is already at the club to complete the medical exam that precedes the final signing of his contract. The 28‑year‑old Malian midfielder arrives on a free transfer after ending his spell with Al Ahly of Egypt and joins Carlos Corberán's squad for the 2026‑27 preseason. Valencia, currently 9th in La Liga with 49 points (13 W‑10 D‑15 L), is looking to strengthen its midfield to get back to Europe.

How does the player’s arrival happen?

Dieng landed at Manises airport and, speaking to the press, said he was “very happy and excited to be here”. The Mali international confirmed he has already spoken with Corberán and that the coach “expects a lot from me”. The deal was sealed at the end of March, when the club reported that the player had electronically signed a three‑year contract while on international duty.

What does Dieng bring to the side?

During his time at Al Ahly, Dieng logged over 200 official matches and helped win several national and continental trophies. His experience in African competitions and his ball‑winning ability make him a key addition for a Valencia that has conceded 55 goals and scored 46 this season, with a -9 goal difference. Corberán hopes his arrival will help balance the defensive sector and create more scoring chances.

What are the player’s expectations?

Dieng described the signing as “a big step in my career to be at Valencia and in LaLiga”. He also said the club’s goal is “to get back to Europe, to live Champions nights again”. With Valencia 45 points behind leaders Barcelona, the new signing will need to make an impact quickly to close the gap and return to continental tournaments.

What’s next for the new midfielder?

The medical exam is scheduled for this week; if all goes well, the contract will be signed before official training begins. Once integrated, Dieng will compete for a starting spot in Corberán’s eleven, as the coach aims to build a more competitive squad for the second half of the campaign.