Ipswich Town have added Premier League experience to their defence, signing Morocco centre-back Issa Diop from Fulham for £8.5m.
The 29-year-old has agreed a contract that runs until the summer of 2030. Diop featured in Morocco's run to the World Cup quarter-finals, appearing in five matches in that tournament, and arrives with 173 top-flight appearances accumulated during spells at Fulham and West Ham.
Diop said he was ready for the move, "I'm excited to take the next step in my career at Ipswich Town," and added that he had enjoyed the discussions that preceded the transfer and looked forward to meeting staff, team-mates and supporters.
His club history is straightforward. Diop joined West Ham from Toulouse in 2018 and spent four seasons at the London club before Fulham acquired him in a £15m transfer in 2022. At Craven Cottage he made 96 appearances across all competitions, though last season he started only eight Premier League matches.
The signing is Ipswich's sixth of the summer. They completed the acquisition of Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu from Leicester for £20m earlier this week. Striker Emersonn joined from Toulouse earlier in July for a club-record fee of about £26m. Defender Cedric Kipre and forward Chuba Akpom were turned into permanent signings after successful loan spells last season, while goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen arrived from Dutch side FC Volendam.
Ipswich secured promotion from the Championship last season, and Diop's arrival addresses the need for experienced defensive options as the club prepares for another season in the top flight. The transfer gives manager and recruitment staff an immediate option with extensive Premier League minutes, while the club integrates its new signings ahead of the season's fixtures.
