Ipswich Town have completed the signing of Morocco defender Issa Diop from Fulham for £8.5m, bringing a World Cup quarter-finalist to Portman Road as the newly promoted side strengthens for a return to the Premier League.
Diop, 29, played five times for Morocco at this summer's World Cup, helping them reach the last eight. The centre-back has signed a deal running until 2030, and brings substantial top-flight experience having made 173 Premier League appearances for Fulham and West Ham.
“Ipswich sign Morocco defender Issa Diop from Fulham for £8.5m, with the World Cup quarter-finalist signing until 2030.”
“I’m excited to take the next step in my career at Ipswich Town,” Diop said. “I know how big the club is and have enjoyed all of the conversations I have had before making the move. I know this is the right place for me.”
The move marks the latest chapter for a defender who joined West Ham from Toulouse in 2018 and spent four seasons at the London Stadium before moving across the capital to Fulham in a £15m deal in 2022. During his time at Craven Cottage, Diop played 96 times in all competitions, but made only eight Premier League starts last season.
Diop becomes Ipswich’s sixth signing of a busy summer. Earlier this week, the club secured Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu from Leicester for £20m. Striker Emersonn arrived from Toulouse earlier this month for a club-record fee of around £26m. Defender Cedric Kipre and forward Chuba Akpom have joined on permanent deals after successful loans last season, while goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen came in from Dutch side FC Volendam.
With the new season fast approaching, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna will hope Diop's experience helps steady a defence facing the step up from the Championship, where the Tractor Boys won promotion last term.