Aji Alese looks set to leave Sunderland after being omitted from the club’s travelling squad for a pre-season tour of the United States. The centre-back, who returned to full fitness following injury, did not make the 26-man party announced for the 12-day trip where the Black Cats will face Leeds United, Liverpool and Wrexham.
Fitness return but left behind for the tour
Alese made a 45-minute appearance in a pre-season friendly against League Two side York City last Saturday — his first outing since suffering a setback while on loan at Portsmouth in the second half of last season. His brief spell on the south coast yielded just four minutes of competitive action before he returned to the Stadium of Light for treatment.
With several first-team players absent because of World Cup commitments, Sunderland’s travelling party is a notably weakened selection featuring a number of fringe and academy players. Despite that, Alese remains in the north east to continue his individual pre-season programme, rather than joining the squad in America.
What this means for Sunderland and the player
The decision to leave Alese out of the tour suggests he is not currently in manager Regis Le Bris’s plans for the upcoming Premier League season. Having joined Sunderland from West Ham in 2022, the 24-year-old has struggled to establish himself amid persistent injury problems.
- Joined Sunderland from West Ham in 2022
- Made 46 appearances for the club across four seasons
- Suffered multiple injuries: thigh, ankle, shoulder, a broken leg and the recent setback while on loan
Alese is entering the final year of his contract, having signed a new deal in 2024. Given his omission from the tour and the club’s apparent willingness to let him continue training separately, a move away from Wearside this summer is widely expected.
Background to the loan and recent season
The defender’s loan to Portsmouth in January yielded almost no match time and was cut short by injury. That injury eventually required treatment back at Sunderland, and although he has completed rehabilitation and made a short pre-season appearance, he has not been included in the travelling squad.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Appearances for Sunderland | 46 |
| Notable injuries | Thigh, ankle, shoulder, broken leg, loan setback |
| Contract status | Final 12 months after extension in 2024 |
| Recent match action | 45 minutes vs York City (pre-season) |
For Sunderland supporters, the development closes the book on a player who showed promise as a former England youth international but whose four-year spell on Wearside has repeatedly been disrupted by injury. For Alese, the coming weeks are likely to determine whether he seeks a fresh start elsewhere or remains to fight for a place before his contract expires.
InfoRadar will monitor any formal transfer announcements and provide updates on Sunderland’s defensive options as the club continues its preparations ahead of the new season in the Premier League.
