West Ham United have finalized the signing of Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo on an initial season-long loan, with an obligation to purchase the Frenchman for £34.22 million (€40 million) in 2025.
Julen Lopetegui’s team secured Todibo, 24, fending off competition from Italian club Juventus. Todibo has earned two senior caps for France.
“It’s a dream come true to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world,” Todibo said.
BBC Sport understands that West Ham have also reached an agreement to sign Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka to further strengthen their defense.
The 26-year-old full-back, who was omitted from Manchester United’s squad for the Community Shield match against Manchester City, is set for a medical with West Ham on Sunday.
Todibo, who came through Toulouse’s academy, joined Barcelona in 2019. After loan spells with Schalke and Benfica, he moved to Nice permanently in 2021.
Todibo is West Ham’s sixth signing of the summer as technical director Tim Steidten reshapes the squad following David Moyes’ departure.
“There was significant interest across Europe for Todibo’s signature this summer, and we are grateful to the board for supporting us in acquiring a player approaching the peak years of his career,” Steidten said.
The club has invested over £100 million in new players, including Dutch forward Crysencio Summerville from Leeds, German striker Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund, midfielder Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras, defender Max Kilman from Wolves, and Argentine midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
West Ham will kick off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on August 17.