Brentford strengthen defence with Senegal full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf

El Hadji Malick Diouf, the 21-year-old Senegal left-back, has joined Brentford from West Ham for €40.8m.

Diouf has signed a contract with the Premier League club running until 30 June 2031, completing his move on 28 August 2026. He becomes a Brentford player after West Ham’s relegation from the top division last season, with the transfer taking him from the Championship back into the Premier League.

The defender made the switch to England after one season at Slavia Praha, joining West Ham in July 2025 for €22m. Before moving to London, Diouf helped Slavia Praha win the Czech championship during the 2024-25 campaign.

Born in Ziguinchor, Senegal, Diouf is a left-footed defender who stands 1.77m tall. He has also represented Senegal at the 2026 World Cup, featuring in three matches and starting twice. He did not score in the tournament.

Diouf’s early appearances for West Ham came in both the EFL Cup and Championship during the 2026-27 season. He played 15 minutes in the EFL Cup and made a three-minute Championship appearance, receiving one yellow card.

He started his senior career with Troms IL after leaving Academy Mawade Wade in February 2023. His move to Slavia Praha followed in January 2024, with the Czech club paying €5.64m for his services. That spell brought domestic success before his subsequent transfer to West Ham.

Brentford have now secured Diouf’s services on a deal that keeps the Senegal international at the club until the summer of 2031.