Staff Reporter.
Newly promoted Fulham FC have signed French defender Issa Diop from West Ham United, both Premier League clubs announced on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old, who signed a five-year deal, played 26 games, scored one goal and made two assists for West Ham last season.
“Issa(‘s)… experience and formidable presence will be important to our squad in this Premier League season and for us to build a bright future in the years ahead,” Fulham co-owner Tony Khan said.
Speaking to FFCtv, Diop said: “I’m very happy, very happy to join Fulham. I hope it’s going to be a very good chapter of my career.
“It’s all official now, so I’m happy. I just want to train with the team now, and let’s get to work.”
Diop made 119 appearances for West Ham in all competitions and scored eight goals after joining from Ligue 1 club Toulouse in 2018. However, he only featured in 13 Premier League games last season.
He has been a long-term target for Fulham, who tried to sign him four years ago before he joined the Hammers.
Meanwhile Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson and West Ham United forward Michail Antonio backed the Premier League’s decision for teams to limit their pre-match anti-racism gesture of “taking the knee” to only some significant games this season.
Players took the knee during last weekend’s opening round of matches and the gesture will also be seen during the “No Room for Racism” match rounds in October and March, Boxing Day fixtures after the World Cup, league matches on the final day of the season and FA Cup and EFL Cup finals.
Elsewhere Brentford have signed Denmark midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard on a five-year contract from Serie A side Sampdoria, both clubs said on Wednesday without disclosing the fee.