After weeks of negotiations, West Ham United have reached a full agreement with Slavia Prague to sign Diouf for a reported €22 million (£19 million) plus add-ons, potentially taking the total package to £21.6 million.
This transfer fee sets a new benchmark as the most expensive departure in the history of the Czech First League, surpassing the previous record set by Slavia’s Antonín Kinský, who moved to Tottenham for €16.5 million in January 2025.
The agreement was finalized just hours before Diouf played his final match for Slavia on July 13, a 4-2 victory over Dynamo Dresden, where he came on in the 89th minute for an emotional farewell with fans and teammates.
❤️️🩹 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭
— SK Slavia Praha (@slaviaofficial) July 13, 2025
It was a pleasure, Malick 🫶 pic.twitter.com/KzrH3t62lV
Who is El Hadji Malick Diouf?
El Hadji Malick Diouf, a 20-year-old left-back, has rapidly risen to prominence since joining Slavia Prague from Norwegian side Tromsø in the winter of 2024 for approximately €2 million.
In his 18 months with the Czech champions, Diouf made 50 competitive appearances, scoring nine goals and providing four assists—an impressive return for a defender. Last season, he played a pivotal role in Slavia’s Czech First League title triumph, contributing seven goals and four assists in 41 matches across all competitions.
Known for his pace, creativity, and versatility, Diouf can operate anywhere along the left flank, primarily as a left-back but also as a wing-back or wide midfielder. His attacking flair and defensive solidity have drawn comparisons to modern full-backs thriving in Europe’s top leagues. Internationally, Diouf has earned six caps for Senegal, including a standout performance in their 3-1 victory over England in June 2025, which caught the attention of several European clubs.
First Summer signing for West Ham
Breaking reports today have confirmed that Diouf, accompanied by his agent, is flying to England to complete the formalities of his move.
According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, the Senegal international is scheduled to undergo his medical with West Ham on Monday, with the expectation that he will sign his contract shortly after. The transfer marks a significant step in Diouf’s career, as he transitions from the Czech First League to the high-octane environment of the Premier League.
Diouf’s farewell to Slavia Prague was heartfelt, with the club posting on social media, “It was a pleasure, Malick,” alongside a video of his emotional send-off. Slavia’s head coach, Jindřich Trpišovský, praised Diouf’s professionalism and character, stating, “I tip my hat to Malick, not only as a footballer but as a person. He had a rocket of a season, despite an injury, and now he’s heading to the Premier League.” The club’s sporting director, Jiří Bílek, also highlighted the significance of the transfer, noting that it represents “the biggest transfer of a player from the Czech league.”
