Before El Hadji Malick Diouf, the 7 Senegalese players to have turned out for West Ham
By joining West Ham from Slavia Prague, El Hadji Malick Diouf became the 8th Senegalese player in the club's history to sign
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Henri Camara
A quick, versatile forward, Henri Camara is the first Senegalese player in history to have played for West Ham. He joined the Hammers on loan from Wigan Athletic in the 2007-2008 season. Unfortunately, he failed to find the net in 10 appearances for the London club.
Demba Ba
Demba Ba is the second Senegalese player to have set up home at West Ham. But he, too, did not stay long with the Hammers. Even so, he made a significant impact at the London club. In just six months (January to June 2011), Ba scored 7 goals in 13 games for West Ham before joining Newcastle in the summer.
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Abdoulaye Faye
Abdoulaye Faye signed for West Ham in July 2011 from Stoke City. The former centre-back spent only one season with the Hammers, making 29 appearances in total.
Papa Bouba Diop
Papa Bouba Diop arrived at West Ham in the summer Demba Ba left following the Hammers' relegation, and a few weeks after Faye's arrival. The former midfielder signed on a free transfer in August 2011 after leaving AEK Athens. The ex-Lion, who died in 2020, played 16 games for West Ham, scoring 1 goal and providing one assist, before leaving the following summer.
Mohamed Diamé
A former midfielder, Mohamed Diamé spent two seasons at West Ham (2012-2014). He played 79 games there, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists.
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Diafra Sakho
The Guédiawaye native stayed at West Ham for four years (August 2014 to January 2018). A centre-forward, Diafra Sakho scored 24 goals and provided 5 assists in 71 games for the Hammers. His time there was marked by recurring injuries that stopped him from fully flourishing. But many supporters still hold him in high regard.
Cheikhou Kouyaté
The 35-year-old defensive midfielder spent four seasons at West Ham (July 2014 to August 2018). He holds the record for longevity among Senegalese players at the London club. Cheikhou Kouyaté has 147 games for the Hammers, scoring 15 goals and providing 8 assists. He is a hugely respected figure at West Ham, where many still remember his commitment on the pitch. Kouyaté has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest in 2024.
By joining West Ham, El Hadji Malick Diouf therefore extends the legacy of Senegalese players at West Ham. At 20, the left-back is at a club that can serve as a stepping stone, where he can show his qualities and consider a move to a bigger, more ambitious side.