West Ham United fans have reacted with anger at the sale of academy product Ajibola Alese to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old centre-back has signed a three-year contract with the Black Cats with an option to extend for a further year.
Alese was highly rated at West Ham’s academy after rising through the youth ranks to captain both the Under-18 and Under-23s sides. However, he ended up making just two appearances for the senior team and has been allowed to leave the club after recent loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United.
Hammers fans’ initial reaction to the news shows the respect he had gained at the club despite never really getting a chance with the first team. Alese becomes Sunderland’s fourth signing of the summer as they prepare for life back in the Championship. Here is what supporters of both clubs involved had to say about Alese’s move on Twitter.
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@JackRising3: “‘Academy of football’ in other words, we don’t care about them and just want money.”
@danwoff98: “Shocked at this. Good luck to the lad.”
@deano733: “Going off West Ham fans' response, I'm very happy with this signing.”
@Chris_Mills_: “One of our brightest prospects, even Tony Carr said this. Strange decision this one. He seemed to be very highly rated. Good luck.”
@FPL_Cockney: “And what you sell him for? £50 and a packet of Pork scratchings? Disappointing, was a big prospect and a loan deal would have been ideal, not a permanent. Praying there is a sell on clause.”
@JackMcM72: “I just automatically read that as a loan deal at first because there was no way I'd have thought we would let Alese go on a permanent deal.”
@Tylerconnor23: “A great ball-playing CB with a lot of potential and a great leader. You’ve got yourself a great CB.”
@sunderlandaye : “Literally 0 reports about him. Unreal from the club.”
@ShieldsMPSAFC : “Another really promising signing. Enjoying the new recruitment strategy and associated silence from the club until it’s done.”
@PeteMcvinn: “This is what is so refreshing about the club nowadays. The leaks appear to have been plugged.”
@WestHamPlace: “What a signing. Look after him, massive prospect.”
@braddfearnleyy: “Exactly how it should be, no reports no mention of his name just announced holding the scarf.”
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