Former West Ham United midfielder Pierre Ekwah has spoked out after completing a permanent move to Sunderland.
On Monday night, the 21-year-old completed a move to the Stadium of Light for an undisclosed fee, having spent the last season and a half in the Hammers’ academy.
Initially, a loan deal was being considered before the two clubs agreed on a permanent move, with Ekwah signing a four-and-a-half-year contract on Wearside, keeping him there until June 2027.
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While Ekwah featured on the first-team bench twice this season, he did play under David Moyes during the Hammers’ 4-2 mid-season friendly win over Cambridge United last month, coming off the bench to score.
In Premier League 2 this season, Ekwah played 11 times for West Ham’s under-21 side, scoring five goals and providing one assist, including a goal and assist in Friday’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Now, Ekwah has spoken out on the move and highlighted Sunderland’s policy of using young players as a key reason for wanting to join them.
“The history and vision of the club really attracted me and I’m delighted to be here,” Ekwah told Sunderland’s club website.
“I see myself as a number eight who can handle the ball well, but I can also do the defensive side of the game.
“It’s great to see the club trusting young players and that’s something that really appealed to me – it seems a great environment for me to develop as both a person and a player, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Ekwah becomes the second player to leave West Ham in a permanent move to Sunderland this season. In July, the Black Cats signed defender Aji Alese from West Ham in a permanent deal.
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