Malick Diouf strengthens Brentford defence from West Ham

Brentford have strengthened their defensive options by signing Senegal international Malick Diouf from West Ham United. The move adds a young player who established himself with Senegal over the past year, while manager Keith Andrews sees Diouf as fitting the age profile targeted by the club and believes he can continue improving. Diouf said Andrews persuaded him that Brentford offered the right environment for his development.

The transfer was announced on Friday, with the 21-year-old agreeing to a five-year contract that includes an option for an additional season. Brentford will pay £35 million up front, with a further £5 million available through incentives, taking the potential value to £40 million. Diouf becomes the club’s fifth summer signing, following Callum Wilson, Mamadou Sangare, Yannick Schuster and Jaidon Anthony.

Diouf played 34 matches for West Ham last season and supplied five assists. He featured in the club’s opening top-flight match against Burnley before missing the next two games while negotiations over his departure continued. West Ham had signed him from Slavia Prague for £19 million only a year earlier, meaning the move brings a financial gain for the London club. Diouf has also represented Senegal four times at this summer’s World Cup.