ISTANBUL / Ahmed Hassan / Anadolu

Ipswich Town, newly promoted to the English Premier League, has signed Moroccan defender Issa Diop on a four-year contract.

Ipswich Town said on Wednesday via its website: 'Ipswich Town is proud to confirm the signing of Issa Diop from Fulham.'

It added: 'The central defender has arrived in town for an undisclosed fee and has signed a contract until the summer of 2030.'

Diop (29) joined Fulham in the summer of 2022 from West Ham, where he played 96 matches over four years, scoring 3 goals and providing one assist.

Internationally, Diop represented France at all youth levels up to the under-21 team, and was part of the French team that won the 2016 European Under-19 Championship, scoring a goal in the final against Italy.

In 2026, he decided to represent the Moroccan national team, taking advantage of his Moroccan origins from his mother's side. He received his first call-up in March of that year and made his international debut against Ecuador, before participating in the World Cup finals.

During the 2026 World Cup, Diop played 5 matches: against Brazil and Scotland in the group stage, scored a goal against the Netherlands, and started in the knockout matches against Canada and France, confirming his presence as one of the key defensive elements of the 'Atlas Lions'.

Diop is set to join Ipswich Town's training after the conclusion of the preparatory camp in La Manga, Spain, following a rest period after his international commitments with the Moroccan national team.