West Ham sign coveted young centerback Issa Diop

The first major signing of the Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos era has come, and it is through the signing of very talented young centerback Issa Diop from Ligue 1 side Toulouse.

West Ham United made it official Tuesday afternoon, securing the signature of the 21-year-old defender, who is among an array of incredibly talented French center-halves on the rise. With 39 young international caps for his country, Diop was a prime building block for Toulouse the last three years, including his breakthrough campaign in 2015-16 that contributed in them avoiding relegation narrowly two of the last three seasons.

Without a doubt, Diop got the major special treatment from the West Ham media department on his biggest career day, the first time he has ever left his beloved France.

Diop explained to the Hammers official website why he decided to pledge his future to West Ham, despite being well sought after.

“West Ham is a big club and there are a lot of good players here. I hope I can have a good season and help the team get a lot of wins,” Diop said. “I am very happy to sign for such a historic, English club, and I hope to show my best here. I am a very ambitious player, and West Ham is a very ambitious club, as we’ve seen with the appointment of the new coach, and I just hope that we can have a great season. “I’m very happy to be here and I am very excited. I hope we win lots of games and make the fans happy. I can’t wait to pull on the shirt.”

It is certainly a wonderful signing for sure for West Ham, a signing that is the type of moves the club needs to regularly make. Diop has so much ability, and it could be a bond with his new club that facilitates not only the Hammers in the short and long term, but helps make Diop one of the world’s premiere centerbacks.