New signing Issa Diop has revealed why he chose to join West Ham United this summer over a host of European clubs clamouring for his signature.
In his first interview since becoming the Hammers' record signing, the 21-year-old said that the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as manager and the Club’s ambition convinced him to make the move.
“Manuel Pellegrini is a top coach who has worked at some huge clubs around the world,” Diop told West Ham TV. “I’m looking forward to working with him and showing him what I can do.
“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.”
I am a very ambitious player, and West Ham is a very ambitious club. I just hope that we can have a great season here.
Issa Diop
He continued: “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.”
Diop is already excited for West Ham’s first home game of the season, when the Irons take on AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium, with the French U21 international eager to play at the Club's home.
“I’m excited to play at a wonderful ground like London Stadium,” he continued. “Everyone enjoys playing football in big grounds that are filled with fantastic fans, as is the case here. I really can’t wait for the first home game.”
Diop joins West Ham after making 95 appearances in all competitions for Toulouse since his debut for the French club in November 2015.
The centre-back served as Toulouse captain last season; an experience Diop believes will serve him well in the Premier League for the coming campaign.
He continued: “I was captain of Toulouse and it was a time where I learned a lot. It was a great experience for me at my age. It was certainly a good thing, for someone of my age to be captain. I’m not sure myself if I am a natural leader, but my coach thought I was.
“Being captain at such a young age was a wonderful experience for me. It was a really good thing. Now I’m just hoping that I can give my best here and show more of the same.”
