| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Babacar Diene | ||
| Date of birth | October 26, 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Thiès, Senegal | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | One Knoxville | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2023 | Rider Broncs | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | FC Motown | ||
| 2024 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 23 | (1) |
| 2025– | One Knoxville | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of February 3, 2025 | |||
Babacar Diene (born October 26, 1996) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for USL League One club One Knoxville. Before becoming a professional, Diene played for FC Motown in USL League Two.
Diene was born to Mody Diene in 1996 in Thiès. He has a younger sister, Khoudia. [1]
Diene graduated from CEM Ballabey High School before attending Rider University. [1]
In 2022, Diene played for FC Motown in USL League Two. [2] He also helped them win the NPSL title. [3]
Later that year, he joined the Rider Broncs. In 2022, he played all 17 of the Broncs's games and started in 16, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists. The following year, he scored 13 goals and 3 assists across 20 games. The following season, he scored 13 goals and 3 assists across 20 games. [1] On November 1, 2023, Diene scored a hattrick for the Broncs against Saint Peter's in the 4–1 win. [4] While with the Broncs, Diene played with Momo Diop, who originated from the same town in Senegal. [5]
In January 2024, Diene signed with the USL Championship club Pittsburgh Riverhounds. [3] [6] [7] Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley praised Diene for his speed and finishing ability. [8] He made his debut against New Mexico United on March 9 in the 1-0 loss. [9] In the third game of the season against Louisville City FC, Diene got his first goal contribution, assisting Edward Kizza's goal in the 3-1 loss. [10] [11] A few weeks later, Diene scored his first professional goal, finding the back of the net in the 3-1 win over Phoenix Rising FC. [12] [13] [14] He became a free agent following Pittsburgh's 2024 season. [15]
On February 3, 2025, Diene was announced as signed by USL League One club One Knoxville for their 2025 season. [16] Diene scored a free-kick, as well as assisting Scott McLeod's goal, in a 0–3 win over Appalachian FC in the U.S. Open Cup. [17]