Atalanta midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana moves on loan to fellow Serie A club

Ghana international Ibrahim Sulemana has been struggling for playing time this season in Italy’s Serie A and on Wednesday, the midfielder completed a second loan move this season in search of more action.

 

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The 22-year-old’s next stop is at fellow Serie A side Cagliari, who announced the acquisition of the Ghanaian on loan with an option to buy. Sulemana, previously on loan this season from parent club Atalanta to Bologna, had his loan cut short to complete his latest move to a club where he enjoyed success in the past during the 2023-24 season.

Cagliari will have an option to purchase the former Hellas Verona player on a permanent basis. Currently in 15th position on the 20-team Serie A table, the club based on the island of Sardinia will hope that Sulemana can boost their cause to stave off a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

The midfielder’s previous loan to Bologna turned into a disaster. Only making four appearances in all competitions during the first half of the ongoing campaign, Sulemana was rooted to the bench with only one start in a Coppa Italia victory over Parma in early December. Other than that, he was limited to brief cameos in three matches.

After showing some potential last season with parent club Atalanta, Sulemana was pushed out of the pecking order following the acqusitions of Yunus Musah and Nicola Zalewski ahead of the 2025-26 season.

The lack of playing time is having an impact on Suleman’s national team hopes. After breaking into the Ghana national team setup briefly, he will need an inspired second half of the season with Cagliari to get back into the picture for Black Stars coach Otto Addo.

He will be available for Cagliari’s next match, a clash away from home at Fiorentina on Saturday.