West Ham United has secured the signing of Senegalese international El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague for £19 million. The 20-year-old defender has committed to a long-term contract with the Hammers and is expected to join the club's pre-season training camp in Germany this week.
Diouf was instrumental in Slavia Prague's triumph in the Czech top-flight league last season. He mentioned that numerous clubs were interested in acquiring his services, but he opted for West Ham, stating it was a "good plan" for him.
"I want to express my happiness to the West Ham supporters. I believe we will have a successful season this year," Diouf conveyed to the club's website. "Everyone aspires to play in the Premier League, and it is a dream for many."
Manager Graham Potter commented that Diouf, capable of playing both left-back and left wing-back, has been on the club's radar for a while. "He is young, eager, and ambitious, and I am confident he will be a positive addition to the team," Potter added.
Diouf departed Senegal at 18 to join Norwegian club Tromso in February 2023, where he played 21 matches and scored three goals. He later moved to Slavia Prague a year later, marking his debut with a goal in a league victory over Karvina.
In the previous season, he scored seven goals, contributing significantly to Slavia's 16-point lead in the title race, with the team conceding only 18 goals in 35 matches. Diouf earned his first cap for Senegal in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in September 2024 and participated in a 3-1 friendly win against England in June.
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