El Hadji Malick Diouf

El Hadji Malick Diouf has packed more into a little over 20 years than many of us will manage in an entire lifetime.

West Ham United’s new No12 has represented his country, been part of the first African team to defeat England, won a league title, learned to speak fluent English and is now preparing to live in a fourth different country after joining the Hammers from Czech champions Slavia Prague.

Born in the capital of Senegal, Dakar, Diouf joined the renowned Galaxy Football Academy at the age of 13, where the coaches helped him to develop as a player and person over the next four years, before joining the Académie Mawade Wade.

In January 2023, just weeks after turning 18, he went on trial at Norwegian top-flight club Tromsø IL, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where he experienced freezing temperatures and snow for the first time. Undeterred, he impressed, was offered a contract and joined the club the following month. The youngster quickly graduated from Tromsø’s reserve team to the senior side, scored in a penalty shootout on his debut and ended the season by helping ‘The Boys’ finish third to qualify for Europe.

Diouf’s progress continued apace as, just 12 months after moving to Norway, he was signed by Czech giants Slavia Prague - the same club from which West Ham signed Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal in 2020. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut. He then played a starring role, scoring seven goals and assisting three and keeping 15 clean sheets in 27 appearances as Jindřich Trpišovský’s team dominated the Czech First League to win the title by 16 points. He also started all 12 ties in UEFA Champions League qualifying and the Europa League group stage.

Diouf’s talents naturally caught the attention of his national team, too, and he debuted in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Burundi in September last year. Now a regular part of a Senegal squad which has not lost an international since January 2024, the wing-back started the Lions of Teranga’s historic 3-1 win over England in Nottingham in June, and is surely a certain starter at the upcoming Cup of Nations and 2026 FIFA World Cup, should Senegal qualify.

Before then, Diouf will fulfil his ‘dream’ of playing in the Premier League, following in the footsteps of so many of his country’s outstanding players, including West Ham’s own Cheikhou Kouyaté, whose advice he sought before confirming his decision to move to London Stadium.

A softly spoken young man with determination and motivation to do his best for himself and his family, El Hadji Malick Diouf will undoubtedly continue to achieve great things as he begins life as a Hammer…

Click here to read article