West Ham United

Manuel Pellegrini excited by Issa Diop acquisition

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 21 June 2018

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini talks up the "talent and character" of new signing Issa Diop, who he believes "will be well suited to the Premier League".

Manuel Pellegrini has tipped Issa Diop to quickly adapt to the demands of Premier League football with West Ham United after arriving in a club-record move from Toulouse.

The France Under-21s international opted to join the Hammers in a deal thought to be worth £22m, despite rumoured interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Diop has made a big name for himself in his homeland, having racked up just short of 100 appearances for Toulouse since breaking into the first team at the age of 18.

New West Ham boss Pellegrini is excited by the qualities Diop can bring to the side, telling United's official website: "Issa is a defender with great talent and character.

"He is only 21, but he has already established himself as a key player over a period of time with Toulouse. We believe he has defensive qualities that will be well suited to the Premier League - pace, power and a sharp concentration - and I also feel he will complement the other central defenders we have.

"We know that many other top clubs in England and Europe were keen to sign him, so it was important that we moved quickly to complete the deal."

West Ham have also moved to bring in Lukasz Fabianski from Swansea City and Ryan Fredericks from Fulham during the off-season.