West Ham complete loan signing of in-demand Nice defender | OneFootball

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo on a season-long loan.

The deal for the 24-year-old includes a £27m (€32m) buy option and represents a significant coup for the Irons and their new boss Julen Lopetegui.

Todibo had been heavily linked with Manchester United but any potential deal was blocked by UEFA due to Nice and United both being at least partially-owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

Juventus, Chelsea and Tottenham were all also rumoured to be interested in the two-time capped French international, but it is West Ham who have secured his signature.

Todibo leaves Nice after three-and-a-half seasons at the club, having originally joined on loan from Barcelona in January 2021. He went onto make 119 appearances for the club, scoring once.

The move for the Frenchman follows up on West Ham’s signing of fellow centre-back Max Kilman from Wolves, with the duo likely to form a partnership at the heart of Lopetegui’s defence.