Defender, Jean-Clair Todibo has joined West Ham on a season-long loan from Nice.
Todibo had initially been linked with a move to Manchester United, yet UEFA rules concerning transfers between clubs under same owner ruled out that possibility.
Juventus subsequently tried to sign the 24 year-old until West Ham successfully hijacked negotiations with a season-long loan plus obligatory £34m offer and a sell-on clause.
Following personal discussions between West Ham and Todibo, the Frenchman has signed a five-year contract, which will run until June 2030 once triggered by the obligatory buy clause in 2025.
“I am really excited to be signing for West Ham United,” commented Todibo who can’t wait to play in English football. “It is a dream come true to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world.
“This is an amazing opportunity for me, at a Club with huge ambition, who want to really make progress under the new Head Coach.”
Todibo added that this felt like the perfect chance to join an English club and specifically in the UK capital.
“It feels like the right time to be coming to West Ham, in the heart of London, with an amazing, passionate fan-base. I’m so excited to pull on the West Ham shirt, and play at the London Stadium in the Premier League.”
Sporting Director, Tim Steidten added: “It’s no secret that Jean-Clair is a player we’ve been tracking for some time, so we’re delighted to have got this signing over the line ahead of the start of the new season.
“He’s got proven pedigree in European football, especially in France, where he has shone in recent years, showing all of his qualities as one of the finest ball-playing centre-halves in Ligue 1.
“There was huge interest from across Europe for his signature this summer, and we’re once again indebted to the Board for backing us to bring in a player who is approaching the peak years of his career.
“I’m sure the West Ham fans are excited about Jean-Clair’s arrival, and we can’t wait to see him playing in a West Ham shirt.”
Todibo began his career with Les Lilas before he joined Toulouse, where he graduated through their academy and managed one goal in 10 senior appearances following his debut in August 2018.
A move to Barcelona followed in January 2019 where he only made five senior appearances but won 2018-19 La Liga title, amidst subsequent loan stints at Schalke 04 and Benfica, which yielded no goals in 12 appearances.
Nice initially signed Todibo on loan from Barcelona in the second half of 2020-21 season, which became permanent in June 2021 after he produced one goal in 17 appearances on loan.
Todibo now has left Nice with one goal in 119 total appearances, during which he helped them finish runners-up in 2021-22 Coupe de France.
Internationally, Todibo represents France and made two international appearances last year, which came in a friendly loss to Germany then 14-0 victory over Gibraltar in UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying.
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