What John Mousinho has said over Portsmouth new-boy Aji Alese as Sunderland man seals switch
Sunderland defender Aje Alese has become Pompey’s fourth signing of the January transfer window.
John Mousinho has pinpointed the vitally-important Championship experience Aji Alese can bring to Pompey following his switch from Sunderland.
The centre-back joins Luton Town loanee Millenic Alli, Ebou Adams and Keshi Anderson in making the move to the south coast during the window as the head coach looks for much-needed reinforcement for a crucial run in.
Alese has sealed a loan move from the Stadium of Light in a deal for the remainder of the campaign and bolsters Mousinho’s options at the heart of defence, which has been decimated by injury in recent weeks.
The Sunderland man arrives at Fratton Park having yet to feature for Regis Le Bris men this term due to injury. The West Ham youth product has been absent for almost a year due to a broken leg which was sustained against Stoke City in January 2025.
Since then, Alese’s sole appearances have come in the Premier League 2 for the Black Cats’ U21s as he built up his match fitness.
The former England youth international has spent three-and-a-half years in the north east, where he’s amassed 46 appearances, of which 40 have come in the Championship.
What John Mousinho has said about Pompey new-boy Aji Alese
And Mousinho has highlighted the need for vital reinforcements at the heart of the backline - something Alese brings along with crucial second-tier experience.
He said on the club’s official website: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Aji to the club and want to thank Sunderland for loaning him to us.
‘He’s a strong defender who is also comfortable on the ball and has experience of playing Championship football.
‘We are short on centre-backs at the moment and he exactly fits the profile of what we have been looking for.’
Alese will be available for Pompey’s crucial game at the foot of the table against West Brom, who make the trip to Fratton Park on Saturday just two points and one place above the Blues.
The centre-back has also registered senior appearances for West Ham, Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United along with amassing 24 caps for England at youth level.