“I am just happy to go for the new challenge” – El Hadji Malick Diouf

Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf says he took the right decision by joining English Premier League side West Ham United.

 

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The 20-year-old joined the Hammers on a long-term contract worth £19m from Slavia Prague. He is expected to be part of the team’s pre-season training camp in Germany this week.

Diouf said: “I am just happy to go for the new challenge so I am really happy to be here, [it’s] like a progress for my career and I am looking forward.”.

“There were a lot of teams but I chose West Ham and I spoke with the coach, it was a good plan for me so that’s why I chose them.”

“[Cheikhou] Kouyate was here and I was talking with him before that, he told me a lot about West Ham. He is still the captain but he is not there but when we have a game he is in the stands, he is in the dressing room to talk to everyone, pushing everyone.

“Of course it’s my decision to think about my future first [and] I think I will not regret to take this decision and every one [Senegal player] wants to come here and play in the Premier League and they have the personality to play here.” Diouf added.

Diouf, who can play at left-back or in a more advanced role on the wing, has already earned massive praise from club manager Graham Potter.

“He is young, hungry and ambitious, and I think he will be a very positive addition to the group,” he added.

Diouf left Senegal at the age of 18 to join Norwegian side Tromso in February 2023, playing 21 times and scoring three goals.

He then joined Slavia Prague a year later and scored on his debut in a league win at Karvina. Last season, he scored seven goals as Slavia won the title by 16 points, conceding just 18 goals in 35 matches.

Diouf earned his first Senegal cap in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi in September 2024, and he played in the country’s 3-1 friendly win against England in June.