Hammers make official Diop statement
Although the statement says the fee is undisclosed CandH can confirm its earlier story that the club have paid £22 million for the former Toulouse man. And the club’s determination to give new manager Manuel Pellegrini all he needs this summer means they beat off competition from numerous PL and European clubs including Everton and Sevilla.
The Hammers announcement declares that Diop has been a first-team regular since breaking into the Ligue 1 side at the age of 18 in November 2015, making 95 appearances.
And the player commented: “I am very happy to sign for such a historic, English club, and I hope to show my best here,”
The French Under 21 added: “I am a very ambitious player and West Ham is a very ambitious club, as we’ve seen with the appointment of the new coach. I hope to help the team win lots of games and make the fans happy.”
West Ham United Director of Football Mario Husillos added: “Issa is a player with fantastic potential who has already shown great quality at such a young age. It is a measure of his character and maturity that he was named captain of Toulouse at just 20 years of age, having already established himself in their team as a teenager. He has represented France at every youth level up to Under-21 and we believe that he is now ready to make the next step in his career by moving to the Premier League with West Ham United.
“There were many other big clubs interested in signing Issa and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us. We look forward to hopefully seeing him make a big impact next season.”