Nigeria-eligible teenager Josh Ajala signs new contract with Premier League side West Ham

NIGERIAN teenage striker Josh Ajala has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with English Premier League club West Ham United that will keep him at the London Stadium until the end of the 2027/28 season.

In January, transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano had reported that Ajala, 19, had been in discussions with several clubs in France and Germany over a potential summer move, as his previous contract was due to expire. A product of the Chelsea academy, Ajala joined West Ham as a first-year scholar in 2023 and signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday.

In his maiden season at West Ham, he scored 19 goals for the U18 side, who finished runners-up in the U18 Premier League. Furthermore, he has also emerged as the development squad’s leading scorer over the past two seasons.

Then, the striker received his first senior call-up in January for an FA Cup tie against Burton Albion, although he remained an unused substitute. On the international stage, Ajala, who shares the same agent as Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina and Terem Moffi, made his debut for England U20s in November 2025.

With speculation rife about his future, the youngster has now opted to remain in East London, with West Ham confirming that he has committed his future to the club. Ajala’s Nigerian parents were present at the club’s Rush Green training ground as he put pen to paper on his new contract.