Cheick Diabate (footballer, born 2002)

Cheick Tiemoko Diabate (born 21 January 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Exeter City.

Exeter City
Diabate started his career at Stevenage before a move to Exeter City in 2018. He first appeared in a matchday squad during Exeter's 2–0 away EFL Trophy group-stage victory over Newport County in October 2019, and then later that season enjoyed a brief loan spell with Buckland Athletic. In a disrupted 2020–21 campaign, Diabate had loan spells at Bideford and Tiverton Town before making his Exeter debut in November 2020, featuring for the final twenty-eight minutes of their EFL Trophy tie with West Bromwich Albion U23s, which resulted in a 4–0 win for The Grecians.

On 14 July 2021, Diabate joined Southern League Premier Division South side, Truro City and went onto make his debut during a 1–1 draw with Walton Casuals a month later. He then scored his first career goal in a 4–1 away victory over Poole Town in October before eventually returning to Exeter two months later following an injury crisis at the Devon-based side. He made his league debut for the club just a week later in a 2–1 defeat to Sutton United. He went on to feature heavily in the second half of Exeter's season as they secured promotion to League One. Diabate was rewarded with a new two-year contract in June 2022.

Personal life
Diabate's cousin Mory Koné is a former professional footballer, having played for Troyes, Le Mans, and Parma.

Diabate is a Muslim.

Honours
Exeter City
 * League Two runner-up: 2021–22