---
title: "West Ham: Fans welcome Ajibola Alese contract"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-fans-welcome-ajibola-alese-contract/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-03-16T18:35:52Z"
modified: "2021-03-16T18:35:52Z"
---

# West Ham: Fans welcome Ajibola Alese contract

**West Ham revealed on Tuesday that promising defender Ajibola ‘Aji’ Alese had committed to a new contract.**

Alese has [signed a two-and-a-half-year deal](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/march/16-march/promising-defender-ajibola-alese-signs-new-west-ham-united), with the option for a further year. He can operate as both a centre-half and a left-back, which appears to fit perfectly with the way David Moyes utilises both a back four and back three, depending on the fixture.

The Englishman made his debut for the Hammers in September as they thrashed Hull City 5-1 in the third round of the EFL Cup.

[Football.london](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/fixtures-results/west-ham-player-ratings-vs-18980475)‘s Sam Inkersole awarded him an eight out of 10 for his performance that night, writing that he ‘never looked overawed’.

In January, the 20-year-old was sent on loan to League Two promotion-chasers Cambridge United to gain more experience of the men’s game.

He has largely been a substitute at the Abbey Stadium, but [did start](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aji-alese/profil/spieler/502065) last weekend in a 4-2 win against Oldham Athletic.

Alese has also caught the eye of England’s youth set-up. Having captained his country’s Under-16s in the past, he was [called up](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aji-alese/profil/spieler/502065) to represent the Under-20s last October.

### **These West Ham fans were delighted to see Alese put pen to paper**

**“Moyes is already doing great moves before the window started”**

Credit: [@ScoutSoucek](https://twitter.com/ScoutSoucek/status/1371809457563439108)

**“Love seeing promising players come through the academy & sign a first-team contract”**

Credit: [@23HPork](https://twitter.com/23HPork/status/1371815802597478403)

**“Great news. Very talented lad”**

Credit: [@whucoyi](https://twitter.com/whucoyi/status/1371810272999055372)

**“Great news, looked brilliant pre-season.”**

Credit: [@WHUHazz](https://twitter.com/WhuHazz/status/1371814057775407104)

**“YESSSS”**

Credit: [@MuvSaid](https://twitter.com/MuvSaid/status/1371808841860546562)

**“love that”**

Credit: [@jackkwhu](https://twitter.com/JackkWHU/status/1371808757697679367)

**“Brightens up my day”**

[@calumv89](https://twitter.com/calumv89/status/1371812319483793409)

**“That’s a vote of confidence for Alese. Be interesting to see how he develops & whether he’s moved into a LB role in the future.”**

Credit: [@mhare641](https://twitter.com/mhare641/status/1371809984409919489)

***In other news, [this Hammer’s agent issued a worrying update](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/transfer-rumours/west-ham-united-fans-concerned-about-fabian-balbuena-reports/).***