West Ham United have secured the signing of French U-21 international defender Issa Diop.

The Toulouse captain joins the Hammers on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee to become the London club’s second signing of the season after Ryan Fredericks who was signed on a free transfer from newly promoted Premier League side Fulham.

Issa Diop scored 3 goals in 41 appearances for Toulouse last season.

The centre back expressed delight about his move while speaking in a first interview as a Hammer, Issa Diop said: “I am very happy to sign for such a historic, English club, and I hope to show my best here.

“I am a very ambitious player and West Ham is a very ambitious club, as we’ve seen with the appointment of the new coach. I hope to help the team win lots of games and make the fans happy.” He stated further.

West Ham United Director of Football Mario Husillos added: “Issa is a player with fantastic potential who has already shown great quality at such a young age.”

“It is a measure of his character and maturity that he was named captain of Toulouse at just 20 years of age, having already established himself in their team as a teenager.

“He has represented France at every youth level up to Under-21 and we believe that he is now ready to make the next step in his career by moving to the Premier League with West Ham United.”

West Ham United reportedly saw off Everton and Sevilla to snap up the defender.