What happened: West Bromwich Albion have secured midfielder Ousmane Diakite to a new three-year contract that runs until the summer of 2029. The 25-year-old Mali international, who arrived on a free from Austria's TSV Hartberg in 2024, has made 63 appearances for the Championship club. The Hawthorns side had already triggered a 12-month extension clause in March before upgrading the terms.

Why it matters: Keeping Diakite removes a free-agency risk from the spine of the squad and reflects the club's intent to build continuity after a difficult campaign. West Brom finished 21st in the Championship, just four points clear of relegation, so retaining a settled midfield presence matters heading into the new season. The deal follows a similar new contract for Callum Styles, signaling a wider effort to hold the core together.

What to watch: The Championship fixtures for the new campaign are due to be published at 12:00 BST on Thursday, June 25, setting the schedule Diakite and the Baggies will face. Watch for how he factors into the manager's plans once preseason gets underway.