'I love him. He’s a real winner'. James Eastham gives a detailed account of why Sunderland fans will adore their new midfielder, who takes inspiration from Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante.
As Strasbourg followers posted their thanks and most cherished memories online after Habib Diarra moved to Sunderland earlier this month, certain phrases cropped up time and again.
He "gave everything", he "gave 100 per cent", he "never gave up". If you are wondering why the 21-year-old became such a hero among fans in the Alsace region’s biggest city, look no further than the wholehearted qualities that Sunderland supporters are about to enjoy.
Fully committed and occasionally full throttle, Diarra has the on-pitch instincts that fans love to see.
On receiving the ball, his first thought is to drive forward and carve out an opportunity in the opposition half. Yet, if there is a challenge to be made, or a sprint required to help out the defence, Diarra will make it.
Diarra describes himself as a "box-to-box midfielder." As is often the case with such players, everything he does is geared towards the team.
Born in Guediawaye in Senegal, about 10 kilometres from the capital Dakar, Diarra moved to France at the age of five.
He grew up in Mulhouse, Alsace’s second city, switching from the Mulhouse to Strasbourg academy to join the latter’s Under-15s. As he progressed through the youth ranks, he frequently captained the teams he played for.
Diarra made his Ligue 1 debut aged 17 in October 2021. The Strasbourg manager that day was Julian Stephan, now in charge of Championship club Queens Park Rangers.
He was one of several coaches Diarra has learned from.
'He’s a real winner'
Under Patrick Vieira in 2023/24, Diarra was given advice about both the defensive and attacking aspects of central midfield play.
In 2024/25, Diarra said he was granted "real freedom" on the pitch under Liam Rosenior. It made sense that he was, given the energy he exudes, the ground he can cover.
Diarra said Rosenior also helped him develop "mentally, technically, in terms of my game intelligence, and as a person."
The affection was mutual. "I love him. He’s a real winner," Rosenior said as Strasbourg finished seventh in Ligue 1, claiming a UEFA Conference League spot.
The former Hull City boss had been quick to identify Diarra’s natural leadership qualities, too: within weeks of taking charge last year, he had made Diarra the club’s youngest-ever captain at just 20.
Given the attributes he had displayed and rapid promotion into Strasbourg's first team, it was no surprise that Diarra gained international recognition.
He played 14 times for France at age-group level, turning out for their U16, U18, U19, and U21 teams.
In the U21s, he rubbed shoulders with several players he now joins in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s Malo Gusto, Manchester United’s Leny Yoro, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Tottenham Hotspur’s Mathys Tel.
Representing Senegal
Yet in March 2024, he turned down the chance to represent France at that year’s Olympic Games in Paris, pledging his allegiance to Senegal instead.
His father Samba had made two appearances for the Senegal national team. For Habib, it felt entirely natural to follow the same path.
"My heart has spoken," he said. "I loved playing for the France youth teams and U21s, and learned a lot from it, but I think representing Senegal was a logical choice for me.
"My progress will accelerate through playing alongside experienced players such as Idrissa Gueye, one of my role models in my position, along with Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, and Tanguy Ndombele."
Since entering the Lions of Teranga senior set-up, Diarra has had a remarkable impact.
In 10 appearances, he has scored four times, emerging as a key player as the team looks to qualify for next summer’s FIFA World Cup.
In last month’s high-profile friendly, he scored Senegal’s second goal (below) as they beat England 3-1 in front of 26,322 fans at the City Ground in Nottingham.
Now comes the chance to impress in England on a weekly basis. He is one of several Senegal internationals lighting up the Premier League, alongside Pape Sarr (Spurs), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) and Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea), among others.
While the surroundings may be new, there will be familiar faces to welcome him.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris recalls Diarra from his time as manager of Lorient in France (2022 - 2024). Recently-appointed sporting director Florent Ghisolfi knows the player well after fulfilling the same role at Lens and Nice (2019 -2024).
It is too early to say exactly how Sunderland will use Diarra, but the prospect of him forming a partnership with Enzo Le Fee - a permanent signing now following a loan move from Roma - is a thrilling one.
There is space in midfield following Jobe Bellingham’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Perhaps the next stage in Diarra’s development will be to add a more decisive edge to his game. He scored 10 goals and supplied nine assists in 94 Ligue 1 appearances.
As Strasbourg’s sporting coordinator Kader Mangane - who, like Diarra, played for Strasbourg, Sunderland and Senegal - put it before the move to Wearside was completed: "I push him every day to improve his stats, because he has the potential to do so."
James Eastham (@james_eastham) is a freelance journalist specialising in French football.