Official: Vardar sign centre-back Siriki Diabate
23-year-old centre-back Siriki Diabate joins Vardar after Darko Velkovski's transfer to Bahrain; last club was Muaither in Qatar.
Vardar have announced the signing of 23-year-old centre-back Siriki Diabate, the club confirmed on 25 August 2026 at 11:40. The arrival fills the vacancy left by Darko Velkovski, who completed a transfer to Bahrain.
Diabate, listed at 192 cm, is expected to bolster Vardar's central defence with his height and physical presence. His most recent club was Muaither in the Qatar Second Division; earlier in his career he featured for Bulgarian sides Botev Vratsa and Botev Plovdiv.
What the signing means for Vardar
The move comes as Vardar seek to stabilise after a shaky start to the season. The team had suffered defeats to Shkendija and Struga T.L. but rebounded on 24 August 2026 with a 4:1 win over Sileks in the third derby. Whether Diabate's arrival signals the end of the club's recent troubles will be tested in the next fixture away to Tikvesh.
Sporting staff described Diabate as a central option in defence who can contest aerial duels and add size at the back, though the club has not published a longer scouting report. The player is 23 years old and will compete for a starting spot in the coming weeks.
Vardar's supporters will be watching closely as the new signing adapts to the Macedonian top flight and the demands of the club's immediate schedule.
Photo: press material from the event
