Talented striker of Nigerian descent Josh Ajala has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract with Premier League club West Ham United.

Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported in January that Ajala had been in discussions with clubs in France and Germany over a potential summer move, with his previous contract due to expire.

However, the Hammers confirmed on Friday that the young forward has now committed his future to the club, signing a new deal that will keep him at the London Stadium until the end of the 2027–2028 season.

Ajala’s Nigerian parents were present at the club’s Rush Green training ground as he put pen to paper on his new contract.

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 seventeenth 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.

He has also emerged as the development squad’s leading scorer over the past two seasons.

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.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel