Sunderland have signed centre-back Aji Alese from West Ham for an undisclosed fee. The 6ft 4in 21-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Wearsiders, with the option of an additional 12 months.
He becomes the Black Cats' fourth signing of the summer, following the conversion of Leon Dajaku's loan move to a permanent deal, the arrival of centre-back Daniel Ballard from Arsenal, and the return of one of last season's loanees Jack Clarke, who arrived on a permanent deal from Spurs last weekend. Alese said: "It's amazing to be here and I'm happy the deal is done.
"I live five minutes away from West Ham's training ground and I've been there since the age of eight, so it could have been easier to stay but life isn't easy and I'm ready for the challenge. I spoke to Alex Neil, [sporting director] Kristjaan Speakman and [head of recruitment] Stuart Harvey and I got a great feeling about Sunderland AFC.
