Milan have announced the arrival of SankhounDiawara, a young 20-year-old French defender, who will make his SerieA debut against Udinese. The Rossoneri club has decided to entrust him with the starting left back shirt, a responsibility that the new coach RubenAmorim deems necessary given the defensive difficulties of the last period. Diawara, who has already had brief performances in the Europa League (33 minutes in total against Salzburg and Bournemouth), will be the first player to start from 1st with Milan and play in the Italian top flight.
Sankhoun's story begins in Paris, where he was born on 13 January 2006. He began his career in the youth ranks of FCSolitairesParis and CAParis-Charenton, before moving to Troyes in 2020. Here he progressed to the professional level, making his debut in the French Cup in November 2024. In the 2025-2026 season he played 17 matches, contributing to the club's promotion to Ligue 1. The success attracted the attention of Milan, who purchased the player for 2 million euros in the summer of 2026, stipulating a contract until 2031 with an option for 2032.
Physically imposing, Diawara measures 190cm, is left-footed and has a robust structure. His style of play is based on rockiness in duels and the ability to read the opponent's actions in advance. Originally trained as a central defender, he also demonstrates considerable versatility, being able to be used on the left lane. This flexibility is considered an added value for a club looking to consolidate its defense in a competitive league.
Off the field, the 20-year-old is known by the affectionate nickname “Papis”, given by his Guinean mother. The name has become a reference point for fans and teammates, who see him not only as an emerging talent but also as a young man with solid character and a strong work ethic. Milan presented Diawara as the "lesser known" of Amorim's latest bet, underlining the importance of integrating a promising young player into the main squad.
As the season begins, Milan aims to exploit SankhounDiawara's freshness and determination to strengthen the defense and add depth to the team. His first match against Udinese will be a crucial test to evaluate his adaptability to Italian football and his ability to handle the pressure of a Serie A match. If he can maintain his form, the young defender could become a key component of the club's long-term project, contributing to both defensive stability and the team's overall growth.