Cheick Diabate: Exeter trigger clause to keep defender through 2024-25 season

Cheick Diabate made his league debut for Exeter on New Year's Day in 2022 at Sutton United

Exeter City defender Cheick Diabate has had his contract extended until the end of the 2024-25 season after the club triggered a clause in his current deal.

The 22-year-old made his senior debut in 2021 and has made 74 appearances, with 27 in League One this season.

Diabate joined Exeter as a teenager, after being released by Stevenage.

"I feel like my game has improved as a whole, and I've learnt a lot from the manager and players around me," Diabate said.

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell said Diabate has shown he has a "big future" ahead of him.

"We always want to keep hold of our academy players as long as we can but there will always be a time they look for something new in their career," Caldwell said.

"But at this current moment in time, Cheick is fully committed to the club and we are fully committed to developing him so he can be the best player he can possibly be."