EXCITED Pierre Ekwah has outlined why he was so keen to join Sunderland this month - and the starring role of Aji Alese, who sold the Black Cats switch in a number of phone calls with the midfielder.

Ekwah is available to make his Sunderland debut this weekend at Fulham after completing his move from West Ham United, the 21-year-old joining on a permanent deal, signing a contract until the summer of 2027.

Tony Mowbray told of his delight at the capture of Ekwah, who he says will "add something different to the dynamic of Sunderland's midfield".

The former France Under-20 international says Mowbray and Sunderland's willingness to invest and trust in youth is what attracted him to join the Black Cats, and he was all the more excited about the switch after speaking to Alese on the phone.

The pair know each other well from their time together at West Ham, and Ekwah had no doubts about the move north after conversations with the defender.

"I spoke to Aji on the phone, I played with him last season and he talked really well about Sunderland," Ekwah told the club website.

"He said positive things, which was nice to hear. Even before the talks he was saying nice things about the club. When he heard things were moving forward, he was really pushing with positive things to say. He had a big positive effect on me."

Ekwah spent three years in the famed Clairefontaine national academy before moving to England to join Chelsea. He spent three years at Stamford Bridge before moving to West Ham, but is now keen to establish himself as a first team player.

He says: "I'm really pleased with the move. I wanted to join this great club, so I'm pleased and happy to be here. We have a big project to be back in the Premier League at some point. The history of Sunderland, when I came here and visited the club, they talked a lot about the history and what it means to the city.

"I think Sunderland is a great set-up for young players to come and develop. It's the perfect club and environment for me to come and progress as a man and player and to develop my game in men's football, because I've been doing it in youth upto now."

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Outlining what the Sunderland fans can expect from him, Ekwah, who will wear the No.39 shirt, said: "I see myself as a number eight who can handle the ball well, but I can also do the defensive side of the game."

Boss Mowbray said: “We are delighted to get the deal done and welcome Pierre to Sunderland. He is a player we have been monitoring for some time, and we believe he will add something different to the dynamic of our midfield. Having met him, he has a brilliant personality – he wants to get better and show he can play first-team football. He brings a level of physicality and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”