Why ex-Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou has been spotted back at club and not at Alanyaspor in Turkey

Former Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou is back in Bristol and has shown himself working hard in the gym on his Instagram social media account.

Diedhiou was also back at Ashton Gate six weeks ago, when the 29-year-old forward took in the 1-1 home draw against Peterborough United.

And the Robins could have done with someone of the finishing power of Diedhiou that day as the West Country men were unable to put away Posh, who went on to be relegated from the Championship.

Diedhiou posted a shot from himself in the local David Lloyd Long Ashton gym this week, cycling hard on one of the exercise bikes.

That’s just a mile from Ashton Gate Stadium and follows on from the AFCON 2021 winner’s visit last month, despite the former Angers man being an Alanyaspor player, who finished fifth in the Super Lig in the 2021/22 season.

BristolWorld can reveal why that is: Diedhiou still lives in Bristol. His family are still based in the South West and we can expect to see the striker around the city for some time yet.

The 20-cap Senegal international travels to Turkey for the regular season alone, but considers his base to still be in Bristol, although not actually Knowle where supporters used to sing that he lived. His young boy and wife are settled in the area.

We spoke to the former City man himself after the draw to Peterborough and congratulated the forward on his tournament win with Senegal as the Lions of Terranga won the 33rd edition of the tournament in Cameroon earlier in the year - their first African Cup of Nations competition win.

Since leaving Ashton Gate a year ago on a free transfer, following failed negotiations between the club and player and against the backdrop of the pandemic and a rising wage bill, Diedhiou has done well in the Super Lig.

He has scored 11 goals in 19 starts in his first campaign, appearing off the bench seven times too. Not a bad record at all and all after he collected a second yellow and then a red card in his second match for his new team, in a 4-1 loss by Altak SK last August - although ‘Fam’ netted the consolation goal in the fixture.

Diedhiou will hope to be involved for his country again in the next weeks, as Senegal face Benin and Rwanda in AFCON 2023 Qualifying. Coach Aliou Cisse has yet to name his squad for the fixtures taking place early next month on 4 and 7 June, respectively.

Then there is the World Cup on the horizon, and matches in Group A against hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Netherlands for Diedhiou to compete for a place to play in.

But we may yet see the powerhouse striker around Ashton and the surrounding areas for a while yet.