SUNDERLAND have completed their third permanent signing of the summer, bringing in Aji Alese from West Ham United.

The 21-year-old centre-half has signed a three-year deal with the Black Cats, with the club having the option of a further year.

Who is Alese, and what will he bring to the Sunderland backline?


EARLY DAYS

Alese was born in January 2001 in Islington, North London, and was raised in Romford. He is of Nigerian heritage, and is eligible to represent Nigeria at senior international level as well as England.

He signed his first professional contract with West Ham in July 2018, and had his first spell on loan with Accrington Stanley in the 2019-20 season, malking 15 appearances in all competitions.


COMING THROUGH

Alese made his senior West Ham debut in September 2020 in a 5-1 cup win over Hull City. He then went on loan to Cambridge United in 2021 to earn more experience.

Last season, the youngster was a regular for West Ham's Under-23s side in Premier League 2. He helped West Ham's second string keep seven clean sheets as they finished second in the PL2 Division One table.

He also made his senior European debut for West Ham's first team as he played the full 90 minutes of the Hammers' Europa League game with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.


INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

While he can also play for Nigeria, Alese has represented England at a number of different age-group levels.

He has played for England at every representative level between Under-16 and Under-20, and was part of the Three Lions squad that reached the semi-finals of the Under-17s European Championships in 2018.


WEARSIDE BOUND

Alese will attempt to carve out a successful senior career with Sunderland following his move to the Stadium of Light.

He is six foot four inches tall, but as well as being dominant in the air, he is also regarded as a strong ball player, capable of bringing the ball out from the back.

He should be ready to hit the ground running having completed his switch to Wearside, as he played in West Ham's pre-season victory over Ipswich Town earlier this week.