West Ham United can confirm defender Ajibola Alese has joined EFL Championship club Sunderland on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old centre-back moves to the Stadium of Light after 14 years with the Hammers, during which he captained the U18s and U23s and made two first-team appearances.
Londoner Alese debuted against Hull City in the Carabao Cup at London Stadium in September 2020 and also started the UEFA Europa League Group H tie with GNK Dinamo Zagreb in December last year.
Alese has had loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United in EFL Leagues One and Two in recent years and will now continue his career at Sunderland, who were promoted to the Championship via the Play-Offs last season.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at West Ham," said Alese. “At 21, though, I feel it is time to move on and play regular first-team football in the EFL, which the grounding I have received at the Academy of Football has put me in position to do.
“To have played first-team football in front of 50,000 fans at London Stadium and captained the Club through the age-groups are achievements I am immensely proud of.”
West Ham United would like to place on record its thanks to Ajibola for his hard work, commitment and leadership and wish him the very best for the future.