Brentford Signs Senegalese Forward Malick Diuof
Brentford have completed the signing of Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf from West Ham United, bringing an end to a transfer saga that dominated the closing days of the window.
The 21-year-old left-back put pen to paper on a five-year contract, with the Bees holding the option of a further year, in a deal worth up to £40m including add-ons. Brentford are understood to have paid around £36m up front for the Senegalese left wing-back.
Diouf arrives in west London after a productive debut season in the Premier League with West Ham, registering five assists in 32 top-flight appearances. He has also become a regular for his country, representing Senegal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and this summer’s World Cup.
The move had been on Brentford’s radar for some time, with the club first making enquiries last month before talks stalled for around a month. Negotiations picked up again in the final days of the window, with West Ham ultimately willing to sanction the sale as they look to bolster their finances following relegation to the Championship. Diouf had also attracted interest from Crystal Palace, but always favoured a switch to Brentford.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews welcomed the signing, saying he was pleased to add a player who fits the club’s profile with room to keep developing, and pointing to the quality Diouf showed in his first season in English football as a strong addition to an already impressive area of the squad.
Born in Dakar, Diouf began his career at Galaxy Football Academy before moving through Académie Mawade Wade, and made the move to Europe at 18 when he signed for Norwegian side Tromsø in February 2023. His rise since then has been rapid, taking him from Scandinavian football to a Premier League switch to West Ham and now a new challenge at Brentford, where he’ll be expected to add pace and attacking threat down the left flank.
