France winger Diaby returns to Leverkusen until 2031

Agence France-Presse ·
Fance's forward Moussa Diaby runs with the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualification football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on March 24, 2023.
FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty

Former Aston Villa and France winger Moussa Diaby has rejoined Bayer Leverkusen from Saudi side Al-Ittihad on a deal until 2031, the German club announced on Tuesday. 

German tabloid Bild said Leverkusen paid 27 million euros ($31 million) to Al-Ittihad to bring Diaby, 27, back to the BayArena. 

"When the request came and the move was possible, I didn't doubt it for a second," Diaby said in a statement, adding "the club has gotten bigger in the meantime -- aiming for titles with Leverkusen is a very big goal of mine."

A fast winger, Diaby scored 31 goals and laid on 37 assists in 125 Bundesliga matches for Leverkusen after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. 

He made his France debut while at Leverkusen and went on to gain 11 caps for the two-time world champions, last playing before the 2024 Euros. 

In 2023, Villa paid 55 million euros to bring him to Birmingham but sold him a year later to Saudi side Al-Ittihad. 

Double winners in 2023-24, Leverkusen were looking to boost their attacking options after missing out on the Champions League last season. 

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