West Ham United have bolstered their defensive ranks with the signing of Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf from Czech champions Slavia Prague in a deal worth £19m (€21.9m). The 20-year-old left-back, who has signed a long-term contract and will don the No. 12 shirt, becomes the Hammers’ third acquisition of the summer transfer window, following the permanent signing of Jean-Clair Todibo and the addition of young striker Daniel Cummings. The move marks a significant step in West Ham’s squad rebuild under head coach Graham Potter, as they look to replace departed defenders Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal.
Diouf arrives in East London with an impressive pedigree, having played a pivotal role in Slavia Prague’s dominant Czech First League title triumph last season. The versatile defender, capable of operating as a left-back or wing-back, featured in 27 league matches, contributing to eight clean sheets as Slavia finished 16 points clear of second-placed Viktoria Plzen. His attacking flair was evident, with seven goals and four assists across 41 appearances in all competitions, including all four of Slavia’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers and eight Europa League group-stage matches. Diouf’s standout performances earned him a senior debut for Senegal in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in September 2024, and he shone in the Lions of Teranga’s historic 3-1 victory over England in June, where he kept Premier League stars Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke in check.
Born in Ziguinchor, Senegal, on December 28, 2004, Diouf’s journey to the Premier League is a testament to his ambition and resilience. He began his career at the Galaxy Football Academy and Académie Mawade Wade in Senegal before moving to Norwegian side Tromsø at the age of 18 in February 2023. After scoring three goals in 21 appearances, he joined Slavia Prague in January 2024 for approximately €2.7m, a figure dwarfed by the record-breaking €22m plus €4m in bonuses that West Ham have now paid, making Diouf the most expensive player ever to leave the Czech First League.
Speaking to West Ham’s official website, Diouf expressed his excitement about the move: “I’m really happy to be here and to make a progression for my career. There were a lot of teams, but I chose West Ham United first, and I spoke with the coach, 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.” He also addressed the club’s supporters directly, adding, “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.”
Head coach Graham Potter, who has a reputation for nurturing young talent, praised Diouf’s maturity and potential. “We are very pleased to welcome El Hadji Malick to West Ham United,” Potter said. “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. The Premier League will be a challenge for him, but he is ready for it.”
The transfer has also caught the attention of former West Ham midfielder Martin Allen, who highlighted Diouf’s warm farewell from Slavia Prague. “In his last game for Slavia Prague, he went on in the 90th minute, and all his teammates and supporters clapped him for his work there,” Allen told West Ham Zone. “I just think that is a really good sign, and it’s something that West Ham should relish.”