West Ham United have confirmed the permanent signing of Jean-Clair Todibo from OGC Nice for £32.8 million.
The French centre-back has signed a five-year deal with the club after spending the 2024/25 season on loan at the London Stadium.
The transfer was made official after West Ham secured their Premier League status, which triggered the obligation-to-buy clause agreed last summer.
From Loan to Long-Term
Todibo initially arrived in East London last August on a season-long loan.
The deal included an automatic purchase clause that would be activated if West Ham avoided relegation — a condition that has now been met.
The 25-year-old, who has earned two caps for France, reportedly turned down a move to Juventus last summer.
It’s believed that fellow countryman and West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola played a key role in convincing Todibo to choose the Premier League instead.
Mixed Debut Season
In his debut campaign in English football, Todibo made 27 Premier League appearances, starting 21 of them.
However, his progress was disrupted by a calf injury, and he was substituted in 10 matches as he struggled for consistency at times.
Still, the former Barcelona defender ended the season on a positive note, playing in the final-day victory over Ipswich and later thanking fans on social media.
“Ending the season with a win always feels good,” Todibo wrote.
“It might not be the position I was hoping for in my first year here, but we’ll come back even stronger next season. Huge thanks to everyone for the support.”
Career Path So Far
Born in Cayenne, French Guiana, Todibo started his professional career at Toulouse before earning a move to Barcelona in 2019.
He spent time on loan at Schalke, Benfica, and Nice, before joining the Ligue 1 club on a permanent deal in 2021.
At Nice, Todibo developed a reputation as one of France’s most composed and ball-playing defenders, attracting attention from top clubs across Europe.
What This Means for West Ham
The £32.8m fee makes Todibo one of the most expensive defenders in West Ham history.
It’s a strong show of intent from Graham Potter, who is preparing for his first full season in charge.
After a disappointing campaign that saw the Hammers finish 14th in the Premier League, Todibo is expected to play a key role in reshaping the defence.
West Ham fans will hope a fully fit Todibo can bring the consistency and leadership needed to anchor the backline in the 2025/26 season.
More to follow on HammerBytes as the summer window unfolds.
