OFFICIAL: West Ham complete Jean-Clair Todibo transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 10 Aug 2024 12:18 BST
3 min read

Jean-Clair Todibo, West Ham, 2024 — © IMAGO

West Ham have officially completed the signing of Jean-Clair Todibo.

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The great hijack is complete. West Ham have managed to snap up in-demand centre-back Todibo, who initially looked destined to join Juventus. The Frenchman had assented to a move to Turin but the Hammers eventually blew the Bianconeri out of the water.

Sporting director Tim Steidten personally travelled to Nice to convince the Ligue 1 side to do business with West Ham and, more importantly, to convince the player to change his mind and agree to a Premier League switch.

Steidten, who has been prolific this summer, achieved exactly what he set out to do, with the German eventually jetting off back to London with Todibo in tow.

West Ham have sealed an initial loan deal with a €40 million purchase obligation for next summer. The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Hammers.

Todibo's crazy summer

Before being close to Juventus and then joining West Ham, Todibo initially looked set to move to Nice's INEOS sister club Man Utd. A deal was all but agreed but then UEFA got involved, prohibiting the two clubs from doing business with each other due to competing in the Europa League together next season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe publically hit back at the decision but Man Utd were not in a position to overrule Europe's football governing body. The former Barcelona youngster is now a West Ham player in what is the latest transfer coup pulled off by Steidten.

“It feels like the right time to be coming to West Ham, in the heart of London, with an amazing, passionate fan base," Todibo said. "I’m so excited to pull on the West Ham shirt, and play at the London Stadium in the Premier League.”