Quark-diquark equation of state and compact star structure

(abridged) We construct quark-diquark equations of state using the quark mass density-dependent formalism. A region inside a $2-D$ parameter space in which this matter is absolutely stable is identified. Motivated by the reported compactness of some neutron star candidates we present stellar sequences and show that the quark-diquark EOSs allow a very compact structure, even in the cases in which the diquark itself is not bound.