Brentford have completed the signing of El Hadji Malick Diouf from West Ham, in a deal reported to be worth up to £40m. The Senegal international left-back joins on a five-year contract, with the Bees holding an option to extend by a further year.
According to the reported terms, Brentford will pay an initial £35m for the 21-year-old, with a further £5m available in add-ons.
A Deal Worked On Behind the Scenes
Diouf featured for West Ham in their Championship opener against Burnley, but was then left out of the Hammers’ matchday squads for the following two fixtures as the move to Brentford was finalised. He had been Brentford’s priority defensive target throughout the window, though talks had stalled earlier in the summer before being reopened this week.
Back in the Premier League
The switch returns Diouf to the top flight after West Ham’s relegation last season. It also represents a significant profit for the Hammers, who signed him from Slavia Prague for £19m only a year ago. Diouf made 34 appearances for West Ham in that time, contributing five assists.
Andrews Sees Room to Grow
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews explained the appeal of the signing. “He’s a player that fits our ideal age profile, with lots of room to still develop,” Andrews said.
Diouf himself credited Andrews with persuading him that Brentford was the right move, saying the head coach had convinced him he could continue to improve at the club. Asked about his ambitions in west London, Diouf didn’t hold back: “Why not win the league?”
Part of a Busy Summer
Diouf becomes Brentford’s fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of striker Callum Wilson, midfielder Mamadou Sangare, centre-back Jannik Schuster and winger Jaidon Anthony.
The defender broke into Senegal’s senior side last year and played four times at this summer’s World Cup.
Contrasting Fortunes
West Ham finished 18th and were relegated last season, while Brentford enjoyed a strong campaign under Andrews, finishing ninth and missing out on European qualification only on goal difference.
Brentford opened their new season with a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and face Leeds in their next league fixture on Sunday.
