Sports Roundup: Mohamed Diame sends Hull City back to the English Premier League

By Drew Farmer
Contributor
It took one moment of magic that provided a city with ecstasy. A feeling that had been lost 370 days earlier when Hull city were relegated from the English Premier League. Senegal international Mohamed Diame sent Hull City back to the English Premier League with one strike of a football.
With the match scoreless in the 78th minute against Sheffield Wednesday in English Championship Playoff final, Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass laid a pass off to Diame. The Senegalese attacker took one touch before curling a 25-yard shot past Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood. The goal came out of nowhere and Diame’s split second of magic completely shocked Sheffield Wednesday and the millions around the world. It was a moment the Owls never recovered from as Hull City held on to claim promotion to the English Premier League.
Who is Mohamed Diame?

By Egghead06 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23336543

Diame had a brilliant season for Hull City, appearing 41 times in the English Championship for the Tigers. His ten goals and four assists were a massive part of Hull City’s fourth place finish in England’s second division. Diame tallied three goals in the Tigers’ final six games as the club solidified their place in the Championship Playoffs.
Diame started his career with French team Lens. In 2005, Diame graduated to the club’s reserve side where he played 28 times over two seasons. Yet, with only one goal scored and a number of injury problems, Diame left Lens for pastures new.
The Senegalese international then made his way to Spain where he played for Linares before signing for Rayo Vallecano. It was at Rayo that Diame found the most success of his career to that point. The midfielder played 35 times for the club and helped Rayo to promotion to La Liga.
Despite rumours of a transfer to Arsenal and even Real Madrid, Diame signed for Wigan Athletic of the English Premier League. His £4 million signing was a much anticipated move by Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who highly-rated the midfielder. At the time of his move, there were questions over Diame’s health as chronic heart conditions scared of some of the biggest clubs in the world. Manchester United pulled out of a deal to sign Diame from Wigan in 2012. In three seasons with Wigan, Diame played 96 times, scoring five goals for the Latics.
A free-transfer to West Ham followed, but it wasn’t until this term with Hull City that Diame reached new levels of success. This season saw Diame hit career highs in goals and assists as he played an integral role with Hull City.
What it means for Hull City
Diame’s winning goal not only won Hull City promotion back to the English Premier League, but it also netted the club over £100m. The playoff final, known as the most expensive game in football, has the ability to make or break a side. Diame’s goal made Hull City, and next season, the club will have an injection of cash like never before.
Diame’s brilliant strike could land Hull City nearly £300m next season. However, that will depend on the Tigers’ ability to stave of relegation; something they couldn’t do this time last season.
Move to another team
The Senegalese international is attracting new interest from clubs in England. FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace have Diame on their list of transfer targets. Sunderland has also been interested in the player’s services. Perhaps one of the “big” sides will once again sniff around.
Whether a move materialises away from the KC Stadium will depend on manager Steve Bruce. The Englishman may stepdown as Hull City boss this summer. If he goes, Diame could leave too, depending on who takes the Hull City hot seat.
For now, Diame has written himself into club folklore. His goal has not only won Hull City promotion, but it has landed them the biggest prize money to date for a playoff final winner. Hull City supporters will long remember the midfielder’s name as the man that broke Sheffield Wednesday’s hearts, and returned Hull City to the English Premier League.
Follow Drew Farmer on Twitter @DrewMFarmer. Check out his new book, Soccer Travels, in paperback or on Kindle at Amazon.com.