It is a signing that has been described as a miracle and underlines the important role technical director Tim Steidten played during West Ham United’s summer transfer window.

Jean-Clair Todibo was identified in June as a transfer target but the 24-year-old centre-back had interest from other European clubs. In the end, Juventus emerged as the main rivals to West Ham because they could offer Champions League football. Sources close to the player’s camp — who, like others consulted for this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships — say the prospect of Todibo joining West Ham looked impossible at one stage.

And yet a deal was still struck for Todibo to join from Nice on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy for £34million ($44.7m).

Juventus stalled when it came to finalising a deal and Steidten was ready to pounce. Although he had Red Bull Salzburg defender Oumar Solet lined up as an alternative, it was Steidten’s priority to sign the twice-capped France international. When West Ham were alerted that a deal for Todibo could be done, it was finalised within 24 hours.

Steidten travelled to Nice in a private jet and returned with the defender. “Without Tim, the deal does not get done,” says a source close to the player. Todibo made his debut as a late substitute in their opening Premier League loss against Aston Villa.

This was the window in which Steidten, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2023, stamped his mark all over West Ham. Last summer, he and former manager David Moyes clashed over transfer targets but this window, the club’s spending surpassed £140million following the arrivals of Wes Foderingham, Todibo, Maximilian Kilman, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guido Rodriguez, Carlos Soler, Crysencio Summerville, Luis Guilherme and Niclas Fullkrug.

It was an unprecedented summer as West Ham assembled a team capable of challenging once again for Europe.

Steidten played an important role in appointing new head coach Julen Lopetegui and sat next to the Spaniard in his first press conference. Before discussing transfer targets, Steidten assured Lopetegui that West Ham would not sell any star players. Lucas Paqueta remained despite interest from boyhood club Flamengo, Jarrod Bowen was rewarded with the captaincy and Mohammed Kudus’ £85million release clause expired in July.

Steidten kept his promise.

One of his first crucial tasks was visiting Paqueta in Brazil before the Copa America. The 26-year-old playmaker was low on confidence after the Football Association charged him with misconduct over alleged spot-fixing offences in four Premier League matches. Paqueta could be hit with a lifetime ban from football if found guilty of breaching betting rules when an independent commission hears his case. Steidten travelled to South America to support Paqueta and reassure him of his importance amid interest from Flamengo.