West Ham United have announced the signing of Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Diouf, 20-year-old left-sided full-back or wing-back, joins at the London Stadium from Slavia Prague, having featured in a key role in the club’s dominant Czech First League title win last season.
Diouf, an amazing athlete and tough competitor with zeal for both scoring and assisting, also impressed in European competitions and was part of the Senegal team which secured an historic victory over England in June this year.
The Senegalese signed a long-term contract and will wear the No12 shirt; he is expected to join the Irons’ pre-season training camp in Germany this week.
According to the Club’s official website, El Hadji Malick Diouf said: “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.
“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.”
Graham Potter, West Ham United head coach, said: “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 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.”
Photo: West Ham United new addition, El Hadji Malick Diouf. X/West Ham United
