West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of France international defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
The 24-year-old joins the Hammers from Ligue 1 club OGC Nice on an initial season-long loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent in summer 2025.
Capped twice by France, the 6’3 centre-back debuted for Spanish giants Barcelona at the age of 19, has already made well over 150 senior appearances, and is considered one of the brightest young defenders in European football.
A strong tackler, elite reader of the game and superb distributor of the ball, Todibo helped Nice reach the Coupe de France final in 2022, UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals in 2022/23 and achieve two fifth-place finishes in Ligue 1 in the previous three seasons.
Now, the French Guiana-born player, who will wear the No25 shirt, is looking forward to showing his outstanding all-round qualities in a Claret and Blue shirt.
“I am really excited to be signing for West Ham United,” said Todibo, who enjoyed loan spells with German club Schalke 04 and Portuguese side Benfica as a youngster. “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.
“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 believes West Ham’s seventh summer signing has the qualities to adapt quickly to the Premier League and excel under the guidance of Head Coach Julen Lopetegui.
“This is another significant signing for the Football Club and shows the attraction of West Ham for top players in Europe,” said Steidten, who has also played a leading role in the signings of Maximilian Kilman, Niclas Füllkrug, Guido Rodríguez, Crysencio Summerville, Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham in this summer transfer window.
“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.”
West Ham United would like to welcome Jean-Clair and his family to London Stadium and wish him all the best in Claret and Blue.
