Amad Diallo’s long road from the streets of Abidjan to Old Trafford

January 2021 saw Amad Diallo make a move from Atalanta to Manchester United. But it was another move that really made everything possible – it was his family’s move from Ivory Coast to Italy.

Amad was born on 11 July 2002, around the time Rio Ferdinand was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson. But people in Ivory Coast couldn’t afford to enjoy football as the country was torn by a civil war that started when Amad was just a baby. He’s had a difficult childhood in a country full of tensions before his family managed to gather some money and relocate to Italy when Amad was 10 years old.

As with most boys his age, his favourite pastime was playing football with his elder brother and the other kids. After some eye-catching displays for the small football academy Boca Barco in the town of Bibbiano, notably the 2014 Christmas tournament for boys, a few Serie A clubs were alerted to Amad’s talents by their scouts. Atalanta were the quickest to act and sign the quick winger for their Atalanta Primavera youth side in 2015.

After four years of development in Atalanta’s famed academy and playing for their U15 and U17 sides, the Ivorian was promoted to Primavera, the club’s U19 side that competes in Campionato Primavera, the country’s best competition for youth players. Atalanta dominated by winning it two seasons in a row with Amad starring for the team and providing goals and assists on regular basis. His performances recommended him to Atalanta’s first team, where he made his Serie A debut in October 2019, becoming the first player born in 2002 to appear in the Italian top tier. It was a dream come true, and it got even better just seven minutes after coming on as the 17-year-old scored to seal a 7-1 win over Udinese.

Merely a year after his first-team debut, Diallo’s transfer to Manchester United was arranged. Even though he’d only made five appearances for Atalanta, his potential is so vast that one of the world’s biggest clubs were ready to splash £18.90 million and sign him to a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

Amad Diallo’s rise has been astonishing, but the lad remains modest and humble as he promises to work hard and learn as much as he can from his new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“I want to learn and progress and I will be listening to the more experienced players here and the coach, and I’ll do my best and work hard to succeed. I’m so excited at the prospect of working with these fantastic people at such a great club. This adventure is about to start and I’m really, really excited and over the moon.”

Diallo revealed how his family played a key role in his career and the move to United.

“My family has always been there for me and supported me along the way. As soon as the opportunity came for me to join Manchester United they obviously gave me great support. They are so important to me.”

Amad Diallo has already made a long journey since his early childhood in Abidjan, but, at 18 years of age, he has an even longer way to go. And with his natural talent and work rate, he could become a big name in world football.