Official | Marseille sign Nayef Aguerd from West Ham | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille have completed the signing of Moroccan international defender Nayef Aguerd (29) from West Ham United. The centre-back joins the Ligue 1 club on a permanent deal worth around €23m, putting pen to paper on a contract until 2030.

Aguerd, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad where he impressed across 36 appearances, returns to France three years after leaving Rennes for the Premier League. The Kénitra-born defender had previously built his reputation in Ligue 1 with Dijon and Rennes, before moving to West Ham in 2022.

Capped 55 times by Morocco, Aguerd brings experience and leadership to an OM squad preparing for Champions League football under Roberto De Zerbi. He becomes the club’s third major defensive reinforcement of the summer, following the arrivals of CJ Egan-Riley and Facundo Medina.

Marseille have been in need of defensive reinforcements, despite having signed CJ Egan-Riley on a free transfer from Burnley FC and Facundo Medina on loan from RC Lens (although the Argentine is currently injured, but is expected to return to the team following the international break).

Marseille will look to spend €23m to bring in Aguerd on a five-year contract. Roberto De Zerbi will hope that the Moroccan international will help bring some much-needed calm to a defence that has looked very shaky in the opening three matches.GFFN | George Boxall