/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60113997/Screen_Shot_2018_06_19_at_4.22.10_PM.0.png)
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.
Our new centre-back... #WelcomeDiop pic.twitter.com/Nx9WHKmIxh
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) June 19, 2018
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.