Jean-Clair Todibo cannot wait to get going in what he calls 'the best league in the world' following his move to West Ham United.
The 24-year-old defender joined the Hammers from French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice on an initial season-long loan on Saturday, with an option to make the transfer permanent in summer 2025.
Having already turned out in the Spanish La Liga for Barcelona, the German Bundesliga for Schalke, Portuguese Primeira Liga for Benfica and the French Ligue 1 for Nice and Toulouse, the centre-back will bring plenty of varied experience to east London, despite his relatively tender years.
Now, as he prepares to make London his new home, Todibo is confident he has the skills to shine at the highest level in England.
"It’s a really good feeling to be a Hammer," he beamed. "I’m excited to be a part of this journey – we can dream a lot because this adventure can be big.
"The Premier League is really exciting, we are talking about the best league in the world.
"For sure I’ve wanted to play in the Premier League. I want to compete in the best league and I hope we are going to do big, big things."
Todibo was not without his suitors this summer, having excelled for Nice as he helped his team to a fifth-placed league finish, a quarter-final run in the Coupe de France and qualification for European football next season.
However, it was the Hammers' project which really stood out to the French Guiana-born player, who had praise for the vision presented to him by Head Coach Julen Lopetegui and Technical Director Tim Steidten.
"West Ham is the best choice for me for my progression, for everything," he explained, "I am growing up as a guy and as a player I talked a lot with Tim and the coach and they had the good words!
"I’m really happy to be here and I hope we’re going to do a big season this year.
"I think [Lopetrgui is] a really good coach and a really good person, also. He gave me confidence with his words.
"I’ve watched a lot of the coach and his teams. At Sevilla we were in the same league – I watch a lot of football so I watched him. Mario Lemina is one of my friends and he was with him (Lopetegui) at Wolverhampton.
"I spoke with some other players a little bit and they told me to come to the Premier League because the league is incredible. I think they are not wrong!"
When describing his own game, Todibo was keen to stress his emphasis on defending and keeping the ball out of his team's net.
The rest of the game and build from there and he is ready to put his body on the line for his new team.
"I can bring a lot of things to the team, I think," he continued. "A lot of courage. If I have to describe myself, I’m just a pure defender.
"I love defence and I don’t want to concede goals. That’s my job and then after with the ball, I am someone with confidence.
"The Club has built a really good team to compete in the high level of the league, so I hope we are going to do it.
"I’m really excited to meet my teammates and get going. Now the season starts next week, so I need to see them, to meet them and start to work with them.
"It is an exciting game next week too because Aston Villa is a really good team in this league and I hope we can win this game at home."
