Diafra Sakho’s move from Metz to West Ham in the 2014 summer transfer window marked a key moment in his career — a step up from Ligue 2 to the English Premier League.
🇸🇳 Diafra Sakho – From Metz Star to Premier League Challenger
🗓️ Age at Transfer: 24
📈 Metz Stats:
2012/13: 23 goals
2013/14: 20 goals
Sakho was instrumental in Metz’s rise back to Ligue 1, earning recognition as a prolific and physical striker.
⚒️ A New Chapter at West Ham
Sakho joined West Ham United on a four-year contract and quickly made his intentions clear:
🗣️ “Every time I play at Boleyn Ground, the minimum I will aim for is to score at least once.”
He also praised the unique energy of English football:
🗣️ “The atmosphere is so, so different from France. Here even when you make a run to win the ball back, the fans appreciate and applaud.”
That kind of passion from supporters, he said, gave him “extra motivation to give even more.”
⚽️ Early Impact
Appearances: 2
Goals: 1
Though new and relatively unknown in England, Sakho began his Premier League journey with promise and confidence.
With his determination and the backing of enthusiastic fans at the Boleyn Ground, Sakho looked poised to carve out a name for himself in one of the world’s toughest leagues.