Sunderland new boy Aji Alese ready to seize his chance on Wearside and show what he can do

New signing Aji Alese is ready to make a fresh start on Wearside and show Sunderland fans what he is capable of. The Black Cats completed the signing of defender Alese from West Ham last week, and his switch shocked fans in East London who saw one of their brightest academy talents depart.

But West Ham's loss is Sunderland's gain, and 21-year-old Alese has joined the Black Cats knowing he will get more first team opportunities in the Championship than he would with the Hammers in the Premier League. Asked about the Hammers' fans reaction to his departure, he said: "I wasn't aware of that but that's nice to know.

"It's always nice to be admired wherever you are but I've left West Ham now and it's time to show the Sunderland fans what I can do. Now I'm here in Sunderland I'm just going to try my best, help out the team and play for the fans."

Alese has played alongside Sunderland's Dan Neil for England U20, and also knows former Arsenal defender Dan Ballard and London-born Jay Matete from his time in the capital, and he was attracted by the prospect of playing for a club where young talent is being given a chance to thrive.

And of the increased first team opportunities on offer at Sunderland, Alese added: "Yeah 100 percent, and whenever you see young players doing well and thriving at a club you know that’s somewhere you'd like to be. I knew Dan [Neil] and Dan [Ballard] and Jay [Matete] and they've been doing well here so it kind of attracted me towards the club."

Alese had a whirlwind introduction, signing last Friday and immediately heading to Scotland with the squad for a friendly against Dundee United on the Saturday, when he made his debut as a substitute. He then started Tuesday's friendly at Bradford City.

Alese