Alese ready for first-team challenge ahead with Cats
New Sunderland signing Aji Alese admits it’s been a crazy fewdaysafterleavinghishome in London to complete a permanent move to Wearside.
The 21-year-old defender, who came through the ranks at West Ham and joined the club’s academy aged eight, has been living in a hotel since signing for the Black Cats last week.
Alese was quickly thrown into the action when he came off the bench in a pre-season friendly against Dundee United, a day after joining Sunderland, before playing 90 minutes against Bradford three days later.
"It’sbeenacrazyfourorfive days and I’ve just been stuck in a hotel and literally trained twice and featured in two games,” Alese admitted after the match at Valley Parade.
"It’s probably better to be travelling with the squad and in matches because it’s the best way to learn how my team-mates play and to get to know them in training sessions, rather than being at home.”
"It’s difficult because London is everything I know. I’m very close to the training ground at West Ham and have been there since the age of eight.
“It’s hard moving away from there and living in a hotel, but it’s the choice I made andIneedtosuckitupandget on with it."
Thatchoicewasmadewith
the intention of playing more first-team football, with most ofAlese’sappearancescoming forWestHam’sUnder-23sside last season.
“I felt like I was at the point where I had to challenge myself with first-team football and I didn’t feel like maybe thatwasgoingtoarriveatWest Ham,” he added.
“When this opportunity arose I said I have to grab it with both hands.
“It was all done very quick andIthinkthat’swhatSunderland wanted to do, they wanted
to keep it under wraps and getitdoneasquickaspossible.
“When the contact was made I knew that I wanted to come here.”
The move has been easier as Alese already knows some of his new Sunderland teammates, after playing with Dan Neil and Dennis Cirkin in the England youth set-up.
The club also posted a video of Alese’s arrival on social media, as the defender was welcomed to the club by Jay Matete and other members of the Black Cats squad.
"I know him from back home in London so not extremely well but I know him from before,” said Alese when asked about Matete’s welcome.
“WhenIsawhimonFriday he was happy to see me.
“Jay has been taking me home from training so that has definitely helped.”
“Whenever you see young playersdoingwellandthriving at a club you know that’s somewhere you’d like to be.
“I knew Dan and Dennis andJayandthey’vebeendoing wellheresoitkindofattracted me towards the club.”
As a left-footed centreback Alese’s arrival should bring more balance to Sunderland’s defence, while the 21-year-old played as a leftbackinthesecondhalfagainst Bradford.
“I’m happy to play wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I’m happy to go and do a job there,” he said.
“Obviously, preferably on theleft-handsidebutI’mhappy to give it a go and give 100% wherever I’m put.”