Diop called up to France U21 squad

Issa Diop

Issa Diop has been called up to the France U21 squad for their friendly internationals against Croatia and Spain.

The Hammers defender has made an excellent start to life in Claret & Blue since his summer move from Toulouse and has been rewarded with a place in Sylvain Ripoll’s squad as they prepare for next summer’s European Championships.

Diop has played five times at this level for Les Bleus previously, but is now in line to win his first caps since a 3-2 victory over Luxembourg last October.

France U21s face Croatia in Beauvais on Thursday before taking on Spain in Caen on Monday 19 November.

Since heading across the English Channel in June, Diop has wasted little time in adapting to the Premier League, starting the Hammers’ last ten top flight matches and scoring in the Carabao Cup victory at AFC Wimbledon.

At international level he has played 39 times for France from U16s to U21s, including at the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea