Nigeria-eligible defender makes European debut for West Ham thirteen years after joining academy

Published: December 10, 2021

Promising central defender Ajibola Alese made his European debut for West Ham United as they suffered a 1-0 defeat in Thursday's UEFA Europa League Group H tie with GNK Dinamo Zagreb.

The England youth international of Nigerian descent, who captains West Ham U23 squad, was one of five academy products handed a place in the starting lineup against the Croatian opponents.

Alese, 20, made his European debut for the Hammers thirteen years after joining their academy.

Prior to his Europa League debut, the Anglo-Nigerian had played just once for the London club, helping them beat Hull City in the League Cup in September 2020.

He got a taste of first team football during loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United, making seventeen appearances combined for the Football League clubs.

West Ham were already certain of topping Group H before Thursday's fixture but their unbeaten run ended with defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

Mislav Orsic scored what proved to be the game-winning goal when he curled a brilliant effort in off the far post in the fourth minute.

Alese came close to netting an equaliser twice in second half stoppage time but was unlucky not to put away any of the chances.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : whufc.com

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