Sunderland's Aji Alese gets new role as club make announcement

Defender Aji Alese may have missed plenty of Sunderland games through injury this season but that hasn’t stopped him being selected for a top honour. The Foundation of Light, sunderland-afc>Sunderland AFC’s official charity, has announced the 23-year-old as their official PFA player ambassador.

This special appointment aligns with EFL Week of Action, a campaign to spotlight the positive impact that football clubs have within their communities, and reinforces the foundation’s dedication to improving lives across the North East.

As player ambassador, Alese will play a crucial role in helping to inspire young people and support the foundation’s core mission – using the power of football to promote education, health, and community engagement.

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With Alese’s support the foundation can continue their commitment to make a meaningful difference for children, families, and the local community. Lesley Spuhler, the chief executive, said: “To have players visiting the Beacon of Light and engaging in our programmes is very important. It not only emphasises the strong bond between Sunderland AFC and our community but also highlights the players’ dedication to making a positive impact off the pitch.

“Aji’s commitment as our new player ambassador will see him champion our initiatives, engage with participants, and inspire others to support our work across Sunderland and beyond.”

Alese expressed his enthusiasm, saying: “It’s a big honour. It’s something that fans, kids, and people will look towards and I’m someone that they can look up to. So I’m really proud to be chosen.”

Ben Parker, PFA community liaison executive added: “It goes without saying, the importance that the players have. They are role models. It’s great to see players and kids interacting – players come away feeling really inspired, really engaged and kids leave with smiles on their faces. Ultimately, that’s what it’s about.”

With Alese’s support as an ambassador, the foundation hopes to expand its reach and deepen its impact during the EFL Week of Action and beyond. The EFL Week of Action is a league-wide initiative that shines a light on the work carried out by clubs and their charitable arms to promote community cohesion, well-being, and social inclusion.