West Ham have signed Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague for £19 million. The 20-year-old will join the club’s preseason training camp in Germany this week.

When Slavia Prague claimed the Czech top-flight championship last season, Diouf was instrumental in their victory. Though many clubs wanted him, he selected West Ham because it fit my plan.

“I want to let the West Ham fans know I am here with them very gladly. Diouf told the club’s website, I believe we will have a great season this year.

Everyone wants to come here to play in the Premier League. Everyone, I believe, dreams of this.”

Diouf, who can play at left back or left wingback, was a player the club had been monitoring for some time, said manager Graham Potter.

“I believe he would be a great addition to the team; he is young, hungry, and ambitious.”

At 18, Diouf left Senegal for Norway’s Tromso in February 2023, scoring three goals in 21 games. A year later, he joined Slavia Prague, where he scored on his debut.

Last season, he netted seven goals as Slavia won the championship, conceding only 18 goals in 35 games. Diouf made his Senegal debut in a Nations Cup qualifier against Burundi in September 2024 and participated in a friendly win over England in June.