Tim Steidten played a key role in bringing Jean-Clair Todibo to West Ham United from Nice.
The Hammers director of football flew out to France on Thursday to hijack Juventus’s deal to sign the France international.
Thankfully, Tim Steidten helped convince Jean-Clair Todibo to join West Ham, and now we have one of the very best young central defenders in Europe on our books.
Julen Lopetegui undoubtedly has one of the best squads in the Premier League at his disposal.
The sheer fact that we have Todibo amongst our ranks really does feel surreal – he is that good, and has so much potential to improve even further still.
Now Steidten has lifted the lid on something about the Todibo deal that makes me feel like I’m in dreamland!
Tim Steidten opens up on Jean-Clair Todibo signing
If you were to ask every West Ham fan what our biggest problem was last season, I’m sure every single one would say our defence.
The defending really was shambolic at times, and the Hammers conceded 74 Premier League goals – a truly abysmal tally.
It was clear and obvious for everyone to see that Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd had to be upgraded upon.
Kudos to Steidten, Lopetegui and David Sullivan for ensuring that that happened this summer, with Todibo the standout signing as far as I’m concerned.
Now Steidten has broken his silence about the deal for the Frenchman, when speaking to WHUFC.com.
The Hammers director of football said, “It’s no secret that Jean-Clair is a player we’ve been tracking for some time, so we’re delighted to have got this signing over the line ahead of the start of the new season.“
“He’s got proven pedigree in European football, especially in France, where he has shone in recent years, showing all of his qualities as one of the finest ball-playing centre-halves in Ligue 1.“
He continued, “There was huge interest from across Europe for his signature this summer, and we’re once again indebted to the Board for backing us to bring in a player who is approaching the peak years of his career.“
“I’m sure the West Ham fans are excited about Jean-Clair’s arrival, and we can’t wait to see him playing in a West Ham shirt.”
We all knew that West Ham beat Juventus to the signing of Todibo, but Steidten’s admission that there were many more top clubs in the race for his signature is an astonishing one.
West Ham truly are massive!
The fact that the Hammers beat so many big European teams to Todibo’s signature just goes to prove how respected we are now on the continent.
West Ham are a completely different animal now. With Lopetegui identifying the type of player he wants, Steidten then going out and getting deals for them done and Sullivan providing the funds, the Hammers have become a ruthless transfer machine.
Jean-Clair Todibo will undoubtedly be a huge player for West Ham, and he has to go down as one of the best signings of the summer in the Premier League.
The signing of the Frenchman was a real statement of intent from the East London outfit.
Exciting times ahead indeed for the Hammers.
