Dynamo Sign Defensive Midfielder Diadié Samassékou Through 2026
The houston Dynamo have signed free agent defensive midfielder Diadié Samassékou to a contract extending through the 2026 season, with a club option for 2028, the team announced Saturday.
Samassékou will take up an international roster spot and will officially join the Dynamo upon receiving his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
“Diadié brings a proven track record of winning at the highest levels, having played pivotal roles on top European clubs in both domestic and continental competitions,” saeid Dynamo President of Soccer pat Onstad. “His experience, leadership and championship mentality will strengthen our midfield and elevate our roster as we push for a third consecutive playoff berth. We are thrilled to welcome Diadié and his family to Houston and cannot wait to see the impact he will make on the pitch.”
the 29-year-old spent a notable portion of his career with Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian first tier, appearing in 134 matches across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing six assists. He was a key part of five trophy-winning campaigns with Salzburg, securing three Austrian Football Bundesliga titles and two Austrian Cup titles. Samassékou was also recognized as a league standout, earning selection to the bundesliga’s Team of the Year for both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons.
Most recently, Samassékou played for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany’s Bundesliga, making 97 appearances in all competitions with two goals and five assists.
Throughout his time in Austria and Germany, samassékou has participated in 46 continental competitions, including UEFA Europa League matches and qualifying rounds for both the Europa League and champions League. He helped lead Salzburg to their most successful European run in the 2017/18 season, topping their Europa League group and reaching the Semifinals before a narrow defeat to Olympique de Marseille prevented them from reaching the Final. His performance earned him a place in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season after 12 appearances and one assist.
Internationally, Samassékou has represented Mali 42 times at the senior level, scoring one goal and providing two assists. He has featured in Africa Cup of Nations matches, World Cup qualifying games, and international friendlies, making his debut for the senior team in June 2014 in a 3-1 win against China. He also has 13 appearances for Mali at the youth level, including participation in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.samassékou has also made 59 combined appearances for other European clubs, including AS Real Bamako (2013-14), FC liefering (2015-17), Olympiacos piraeus (2022-23), and Cádiz CF (2023-24), scoring two goals and recording three assists.
