West Ham acquires Slavia full-back Diouf
West Ham United has signed left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from Czech champion Slavia Prague in a deal worth £19 million ($39 million).
Diouf helped Slavia win its 22nd domestic title last season as it finished 16 points clear of Viktoria Plzen, taking 90 points from 35 matches.
Diouf, who has also played at left wing-back, has signed what West Ham described simply as a "long-term" contract.
"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," Diouf said.
"There were a lot of teams [who wanted to sign me], but I chose West Ham first, and I spoke with 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."
The 20-year-old, who won the first of his four senior caps for Senegal last year, played 27 league games in 2024-2025, contributing to eight clean sheets.
Diouf is West Ham's second signing of pre-season, after Jean-Clair Todibo's loan move became permanent for £36.3 million ($87.3 million).
The Hammers have let Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma, Michail Antonio, Danny Ings, Aaron Cresswell and Lukasz Fabianski leave as free agents, while Mohammed Kudus was sold to rival Tottenham Hotspur for £55 million ($113 million).
