In January 2020, the Senegal international was travelling by train from Sheffield to play seventh-tier football, on loan from Sheffield United.
Now 26, Ndiaye has joined Manchester City from Everton in a deal worth £60 million up front, with a further £5 million in potential add-ons. His journey has taken him through non-league football, the Championship, Ligue 1 and the Premier League, but those early months at Hyde remain a significant chapter in his development.
David McGurk, the former York City and Darlington defender who managed Hyde at the time, remembers being struck by Ndiaye’s ability almost immediately.
“I played professionally for 16 years and had never seen anything like him,” McGurk told The Sun.
“It is always hard to tell if a player is going to reach the very top.
“Iliman came to Hyde, did well, and then went straight into the plans of Paul Heckingbottom, who was United manager at the time.
“He adapted to that level and quickly became one of their best players.”
Hyde’s opponents were seasoned non-league players, but McGurk felt Ndiaye’s technical ability and physical strength allowed him to compete despite his age.
“He was a really quiet lad, but not on the pitch.
“He was aggressive, just got on with his game and spoke with his football.
“The defenders either couldn’t get near him or he was too skilful to get away from them.
“Some of them did go after him in terms of being aggressive and kicking him, but at a young age he was a strong boy. He had a real core strength to him, so he rode a lot of the tackles.”
The manager also saw areas that needed work, particularly Ndiaye’s finishing and decision-making. After the forward missed chances in one match, McGurk made his expectations clear.
“I told him he was going to play at the very top level but to get there he needed to take them chances,” he said.
Ndiaye’s personality away from football made an impression too. He was quiet and unassuming, travelling from Sheffield to training and doing what was needed to keep playing.
“Iliman had no airs and graces,” McGurk said.
“He was really streetwise, managed everything he needed to and did anything he could just to come and play football.”
Ndiaye made only nine appearances for Hyde before the Covid pandemic brought the season to an abrupt end. Even in that short spell, his flair was unmistakable. McGurk recalled one match when the team had to remind him to rein in his tricks while comfortably ahead.
“We did have to warn Iliman in one game to be careful with his tricks and flicks. We were leading the game 5-2 and he was sort of showboating, but it was just his natural game.”
Heckingbottom, who worked with Ndiaye at Sheffield United, has also backed the forward to meet the demands of his move to City.
“He’s quiet and he’s shy but on the pitch it’s his stage and he becomes a showman,” Heckingbottom said.
He believes Ndiaye is particularly effective through the middle, where tight spaces can bring his close control and creativity into play.
“He’s always rose to the challenge and I’m sure he will do the same there,” Heckingbottom added.
From a short non-league loan to a major transfer, Ndiaye’s career has repeatedly taken him to a higher level. City are his latest test, and the people who watched him emerge at Hyde believe his confidence on the ball has always been matched by the determination to keep progressing.