West Ham make Diouf first signing of transfer window

West Ham have completed the signing of Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The left-back makes the move to London Stadium having helped Slavia Prague win the Czech title in 2024-25 after joining them from Norwegian side Tromso in January 2024.

Diouf, 20, has joined the Hammers on a long-term deal, becoming their first signing of the transfer window as head coach Graham Potter looks to improve on their 14th-placed finish last season, with 2025-26 set to mark his first full campaign in charge.

He is set to join West Ham’s pre-season training camp in Germany this week.

“I’m really happy to be here and to make a progression for my career. I’m looking forward to working hard and joining my new team-mates,” Diouf told West Ham’s official website.

“There were a lot of teams [who wanted to sign me], but I chose West Ham United first and I spoke with the coach [Graham Potter] and it was a good plan for me.

“Everyone wants to come here to play in the Premier League. I think it is a dream for everyone. When they are here, they want to make everything good. I think they also have the personality to play here and if you are young, you want to continue your progression.

“If you are young, you have to keep your personality. It’s about the team. The most important thing is the team, not the player. I want to say to the West Ham supporters I’m very happy to be here with them. I think we’ll make a very good season this year.”

Potter added: “We are very pleased to welcome El Hadji Malick to West Ham United.

““He is a young player we have been watching for some time, and somebody that we believe can be a really good fit for what we are trying to build at the Club.

“He has shown tremendous strength of character and maturity at such a young age – leaving his home in Senegal to move to Norway at 18, and then moving on to Prague – and his performances have been at a consistently high level for some time now.

“He has made some terrific progress so far with his clubs and with the Senegal national team, and we are looking forward to welcoming him into the squad and working with him to continue that progress.

“The Premier League will be a big challenge for El Hadji Malick, but I can tell that he is really excited by it and determined to make a good impact at the Club and on our supporters. He is young, hungry and ambitious, and I think he will be a very positive addition to the group.”

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