West Ham United Sign Senegal Star El Hadji Malick Diouf

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 10:39 IST

West Ham United signed Senegal's El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague on a long-term deal. Diouf is their third summer signing and will wear the No. 12 shirt.

El Hadji Malick Diouf in West Ham colours. (Getty Images)

West Ham United have secured Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf on a long-term contract, as announced by the Premier League club.

Diouf, who will wear the No 12 shirt, becomes West Ham’s third summer signing after Jean-Clair Todibo and Daniel Cummings, as the club revamps its defence following the exits of Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal.

The 20-year-old, capable of playing as a left-sided full-back or wing-back, joins the Hammers from Slavia Prague, where he was instrumental in their dominant Czech First League title triumph last season. He also shone in European competitions and was part of the Senegal team that achieved a historic victory over England this June.

Eager to don the Hammers’ iconic Claret and Blue shirt, Diouf looks forward to blending with his new teammates and is set to join the Irons’ pre-season training camp in Germany this week.

“I’m just happy. I’m just happy to go for the new challenge. I’m really happy to be here and to make a progression for my career and I’m looking forward," Diouf expressed on the club’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," he added.

Diouf began his football journey with Galaxy Football Academy at the age of 13.  After four years there and a stint at Académie Mawade Wade, he moved to Norwegian Eliteserien club Tromsø at 18 in February 2023. He debuted in a Norwegian Cup win over Start the following month and, during his single season with Tromsø, played 21 times, scored three goals, and helped the club finish third and secure a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

In January 2024, Diouf transferred to Slavia Prague, scoring on his debut in a First League win at Karvina and making his European debut in a UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie against AC Milan.

Last season, Diouf excelled, featuring in all four UEFA Champions League qualifiers and eight Europa League group-stage matches, scoring seven goals as Slavia dominated the First League, conceding just 18 goals in 35 matches and clinching the title by 16 points.

His stellar performance earned him a senior Senegal debut in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in September 2024, and he played the full 90 minutes in his country’s historic 3-1 victory over England this summer, making Senegal the first African nation to defeat England.

With IANS Inputs

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