Joshua Ajala

Joshua Ajala's first senior start came with two goals. On 25 August 2026 he played from the beginning for West Ham in the second round of the Carabao Cup and scored twice in a 4-1 away win against Southampton. It was his full professional debut, and it followed a first appearance as a substitute on 8 August, in a 3-1 win over Portsmouth in the first round of the same competition.

His route to that point ran through two academies. He played for Chigwell Boys until the age of eight, then moved into the Chelsea academy, where he stayed until the summer of 2023. In July 2023 he joined West Ham as a first-year scholar, and in November of that year he signed his first professional contract. In March 2026 he extended that deal until 2028.

The clearest sign of his form at youth level came in February 2026, when he was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month. He scored two goals and provided three assists in that month. He was 19 when he made his debut, and he was one of several academy graduates to appear.

Ajala has also played for England at youth level. He has been part of England U19 camps, including matches in Croatia. In November 2025 he received his first call-up to the England U20 squad, for a friendly against Japan.

His senior appearances so far have come in the Carabao Cup and the Championship, and he has not been sent out on loan.