Ipswich Town has officially announced the signing of Issa Diop, with a contract running until the summer of 2030.

Ipswich Town have officially confirmed the signing of centre-back Issa Diop. The 29-year-old French defender has officially joined from Fulham on a long-term contract that will run until the summer of 2030. The transfer fee has not been disclosed.  

This summer, Issa Diop represented Morocco at the FIFA World Cup, playing five matches in their journey to the quarterfinals, including a goal against the Netherlands. At the club level, the centre-back boasts extensive Premier League experience, having made 173 appearances, including four seasons with West Ham United before joining Fulham in 2022.  

Due to his participation in the World Cup with Morocco this summer, Issa Diop will officially join the Ipswich team after their training camp in La Manga, Spain, and reunite with his new teammates. After completing the transfer, he said, "I am very excited to come to Ipswich and start a new phase of my career."  

“I know very well that Ipswich is a club with a long history and a rich heritage. Before joining, I had a lot of communication with the club, which made me more determined to come here. I believe that this place can help me continue to grow. This summer I have been busy representing Morocco in the World Cup, but now I am very proud to be a member of Ipswich and I hope to meet the coaches, teammates and fans as soon as possible.”  

Speaking about the signing, Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neill said: "Isa Diop has a wealth of experience and has proven himself in the Premier League for many years. We are delighted to complete this signing and welcome him to the country."  

“Isa Diop is a physically outstanding center-back with exceptional individual skills and a strong competitive spirit. His arrival will further enhance the team's defensive strength and make him an important member of the squad. This summer, he also represented Morocco in the World Cup and scored a goal. We look forward to his return to the team as soon as possible.”  

Issa Diop was born in Toulouse, France, and grew up in the Toulouse club's youth academy, making his first-team debut at the age of 18. Two years later, the young defender wore the team's captain's armband. In the summer of 2018, he joined Premier League side West Ham United for a record transfer fee.  

In his first season with West Ham United, Issa Diop quickly established himself, making 38 appearances in all competitions. Subsequently, under manager David Moyes, he gradually developed into one of the team's defensive linchpins, helping the team finish in the top seven of the Premier League twice and reach the Europa League semi-finals.  

During his time at West Ham United, Issa Diop made 119 appearances for the team, scoring 8 goals. After transferring to Fulham in the summer of 2022, he made 96 appearances over four seasons. Now, the experienced centre-back has officially begun his Ipswich Town career.  

At the national team level, Issa Diop was a key member of various French youth teams and won the 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship with the French U19 national team. Notably, he also scored a goal in the final against Italy, contributing to the team's victory.  

Thanks to his mother's Moroccan heritage, Issa Diop officially transitioned his national team career to the Moroccan senior team in 2026. In March of the same year, he made his debut in an international friendly against Ecuador and, thanks to his consistent performance, successfully secured a place in Morocco's final squad for the World Cup.  

Issa Diop played a crucial role for Morocco during this World Cup. He appeared in group stage matches against Brazil and Scotland, and scored a goal against the Netherlands. In the knockout stages, he started against Canada and France, helping Morocco advance to the quarterfinals.  

Image source: Internet/Ipswich official website