Jean-Clair Todibo

Jean-Clair Dimitri Roger Todibo (born 30 December 1999) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ligue 1 club Lens, on loan from West Ham United

Early life Todibo was born in French Guiana and grew up in the northeastern suburbs of Paris. At nine years old, he was struck by a motor vehicle with doubts he would walk again, let alone play football. He eventually made a full recovery and continued playing with Les Lilas, the club which signed him at six years old. He made his Ligue 1 debut on 19 August 2018 against Derby de la Garonne rivals Bordeaux, playing 89 minutes in an eventual 2–1 home win. On 1 September, he was sent off in 26 minutes of a 2–1 win at Guingamp. He played ten games for the club and scored once, a late equaliser on 30 September in a 1–1 draw at Rennes.

Barcelona On 8 January 2019, Todibo reached an agreement with Barcelona which would see him join them on a free transfer in July 2019, when his contract with Toulouse was due to expire. However, the Spanish side pushed the transfer forward and he joined the club on 31 January 2019. He became the 22nd French player to sign for Barcelona and was handed the number 6 shirt. He made only four appearances total for Barcelona. In March, Todibo was named Schalke's Player of the Month which was voted by the fans.

Loan to Benfica On 5 October 2020, Todibo joined Primeira Liga club Benfica on a one-year loan with an option to purchase for €20 million.

Nice On 1 February 2021, Todibo joined Ligue 1 club Nice on loan with an option to buy after his loan contract was mutually terminated by Barcelona and Benfica. On 27 June, the move was made permanent by the club as they paid €8.5m (+ €7m in variables) to Barcelona. Barcelona also reserved rights to a percentage of his future sale.

On 18 September 2022, he was sent off in a match against Angers after nine seconds, the fastest red card in Ligue 1 history.

West Ham United On 10 August 2024, Todibo signed for Premier League team West Ham United on loan for the 2024–25 season. The deal included an obligation to buy at the end of the season for €40 million, to be activated if the club avoided relegation and retained their Premier League status. Following the close of the season, the obligation was met, with Todibo officially joining as a permanent squad member on July 1st.

On 31 January 2026, Todibo was sent off for violent conduct during a Premier League fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Following a dramatic second-half comeback by Chelsea, a mass brawl erupted in the stoppage time after West Ham's Adama Traoré shoved Marc Cucurella and João Pedro. Todibo was given a straight red card after a VAR review confirmed he had grabbed Pedro by the throat, marking his first Premier League sending off, and the third in his professional career.

Loan to RC Lens On 1 September 2026, Todibo joined Ligue 1 club Lens on a one-year loan deal.

International career

Todibo made his international debut for France under-20 on 16 November 2018, in a 1–1 friendly draw with Switzerland in Cartagena, Spain.

In March 2023, he received his first call-up to the France senior national team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.

Todibo made his France debut in a 2–1 friendly loss to Germany on 12 September 2023. His competitive debut came in France's record 14–0 win over Gibraltar on 18 November.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Barcelona La Liga: 2018–19

Nice

Coupe de France runner-up: 2021–22