West Ham have signed Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice on loan, with an option to buy him for £34million next summer.
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that the Hammers had re-entered the race to sign the Nice defender amid competition from Juventus.
The 24-year-old played a key role in securing the Europa League title by finishing fifth in Ligue 1 last season, making 33 appearances in all competitions.
In a slick video from West Ham, a smiling Todibo can be seen kissing his fist, pulling on the badge and making a Hammers sign to show his loyalty to east London.
He is West Ham’s seventh signing of the summer, with Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme all on paid deals. Wes Foderingham and Guido Rodrigues have joined on free transfers.
Jean-Clair Todibo has completed a loan from Nice to West Ham with a £34m buy-out clause
The defender is a key player for Nice and has helped them reach the Europa League
“I am very excited to sign for West Ham United,” said Todibo. “It is a dream come true to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world.
‘It feels like the right time to come to West Ham, in the heart of London, with a great, passionate fan base.’
Todibo impressed at another of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s teams and was linked with a move to Ineos-owned Manchester United this summer, but UEFA rules on multi-club ownership blocked the deal.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten travelled to France to secure the signature of the former Barcelona star, as the club look set to bolster their defence in preparation for Kurt Zouma’s imminent departure.
Zouma has attracted interest from across the Middle East and has been linked with a move to UAE Pro League club Shabab Al-Ahli in recent days.
With the club’s captain set to leave, Julen Lopetegui has set himself the goal of strengthening his defensive options for the coming season.
The deal will see the Frenchman join Lopetegui’s side on loan for an initial season, with an obligatory purchase worth £34million next summer.
After graduating from Toulouse’s youth academy, the central defender made his debut for the club’s first team in 2018, before joining Barcelona on a free transfer the following year.
Tim Steiden, technical director of Hammers, travelled to France to close the deal
The two-time France international was linked with a move to Man United this summer
Todibo made just five appearances for the Catalan club and was loaned to both Schalke and Benfica before moving to Nice in 2020.
After initially joining Les Aiglons on loan, the transfer was made permanent in June 2021.
Since then, Todibo has developed into one of Europe’s most promising defenders and was rewarded for his performances at Allianz Riviera with a debut for the French national team in September.