West Ham have accomplished the signing of Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The left-back makes the transfer to London Stadium having helped Slavia Prague win the Czech title in 2024-25 after becoming a member of them from Norwegian aspect Tromso in January 2024.
Diouf, 20, has joined the Hammers on a long-term deal, turning into their first signing of the switch window as head coach Graham Potter seems to be to enhance on their 14th-placed end final season, with 2025-26 set to mark his first full marketing campaign in cost.
He is ready to affix West Ham’s pre-season coaching camp in Germany this week.
“I’m actually completely satisfied to be right here and to make a development for my profession. I’m trying ahead to working onerous and becoming a member of my new team-mates,” Diouf informed West Ham’s official web site.
“There have been quite a lot of groups [who wanted to sign me], however I selected West Ham United first and I spoke with the coach [Graham Potter] and it was an excellent plan for me.
“Everyone needs to come back right here to play within the Premier League. I believe it’s a dream for everybody. When they’re right here, they need to make all the things good. I believe additionally they have the persona to play right here and in case you are younger, you need to proceed your development.
“If you’re younger, it’s important to maintain your persona. It’s in regards to the staff. The most vital factor is the staff, not the participant. I need to say to the West Ham supporters I’m very completely satisfied to be right here with them. I believe we’ll make an excellent season this 12 months.”
Potter added: “We are very happy to welcome El Hadji Malick to West Ham United.
““He is a younger participant now we have been looking ahead to a while, and any individual that we imagine is usually a actually good match for what we are attempting to construct on the Club.
“He has proven large power of character and maturity at such a younger age – leaving his residence in Senegal to maneuver to Norway at 18, after which transferring on to Prague – and his performances have been at a constantly excessive stage for a while now.
“He has made some terrific progress thus far together with his golf equipment and with the Senegal nationwide staff, and we’re trying ahead to welcoming him into the squad and dealing with him to proceed that progress.
“The Premier League will probably be an enormous problem for El Hadji Malick, however I can inform that he’s actually excited by it and decided to make an excellent affect on the Club and on our supporters. He is younger, hungry and bold, and I believe he will probably be a really optimistic addition to the group.”
