West Ham has signed France defender Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice on a season-long loan with an option to buy for £35 million next summer. The 24-year-old, who previously played for Barcelona and has two caps for France, was also targeted by Juventus and Manchester United, but UEFA regulations on multi-club ownership blocked the latter's move. Todibo joins West Ham under new coach Julen Lopetegui, who has overseen over £140 million in summer signings, including Max Kilman and Niclas Fullkrug. West Ham's new sporting director, Tim Steidten, highlighted Todibo's pedigree in European football, calling him one of the finest ball-playing center-halves in Ligue 1. The signing is part of a broader effort to bolster the squad ahead of the new Premier League season, especially with Kurt Zouma's potential departure to the UAE.