Jean-Clair Todibo can’t wait to get started in a West Ham shirt after arriving from OGC Nice after a shocking turn of events which saw him join the Hammers over Italian giants Juventus.
“It’s a really good feeling to be a Hammer,” he beamed. “I’m excited to be a part of this journey – we can dream a lot because this adventure can be big.
“The Premier League is really exciting, we are talking about the best league in the world.
“For sure I’ve wanted to play in the Premier League. I want to compete in the best league and I hope we are going to do big, big things.”
The Frenchman has played in some of the other best European League’s in the world, despite only being 24-years-old. He has played for Barcelona in LaLiga, Schalke in the Bundesliga, Benfica in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and Toulouse and Nice in Ligue 1.
Reports suggested that Todibo preferred a move to Juventus over West Ham due to them being in the Champions League, however, a move didn’t materialise so the Hammers were able to sign the French Guiana-born player.
“West Ham is the best choice for me for my progression, for everything,” he explained, “I am growing up as a guy and as a player I talked a lot with Tim and the coach and they had the good words!
“I’m really happy to be here and I hope we’re going to do a big season this year.
“I think [Lopetrgui is] a really good coach and a really good person, also. He gave me confidence with his words.
“I’ve watched a lot of the coach and his teams. At Sevilla we were in the same league – I watch a lot of football so I watched him. Mario Lemina is one of my friends and he was with him (Lopetegui) at Wolverhampton.
“I spoke with some other players a little bit and they told me to come to the Premier League because the league is incredible. I think they are not wrong!”
Todibo spoke very highly of his own game, and he is right to as he has been one of the most highly rated and promising defenders in Europe for years.
“I can bring a lot of things to the team, I think,” he continued. “A lot of courage. If I have to describe myself, I’m just a pure defender.
“I love defence and I don’t want to concede goals. That’s my job and then after with the ball, I am someone with confidence.”
Jean-Clair Todibo is a player West Ham United fans should be excited to watch this season, whether his defensive partner is Max Kilman or Nayef Aguerd, this Hammers should have a much-improved defence this campaign. And with Wan-Bissaka likely to join up and play on the right of Todibo, West Ham’s defence could be up there with the best in the Premier League.
