Kristjaan Speakman hails ideal Aji Alese loan as defender joins Portsmouth for rest of season | OneFootball

Aji Alese has joined Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign. According to Sunderland Echo, he is expected to play regularly and should be in the squad for the weekend meeting with West Brom.

Alese has not played for the first team since suffering a major injury in an FA Cup loss to Stoke City a year ago. He has stepped up his return with two outings for Sunderland’s U21s since the start of the year.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said Alese had shown patience and worked diligently to be ready for this chance. He called the move ideal for the second half of the season.

Speakman added that the Championship is a level Alese knows and offered his best wishes for the defender’s time on the south coast.

Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho said the club were delighted to bring Alese in and thanked Sunderland. He described the defender as strong and comfortable on the ball with Championship experience, and said a shortage at centre-back meant he fits the profile they have been seeking.

Source: Sunderland Echo