West Brom release Semi Ajayi, offer new deals to three Nigerian forwards
Championship side West Bromwich Albion have confirmed their retained and released list following the conclusion of the 2024–2025 season, with Nigeria international Semi Ajayi among the players set to depart when their contracts expire on June 30.
Ajayi’s time at The Hawthorns comes to an end after an injury-hit campaign in which the experienced centre-back missed 29 Championship matches, in addition to cup fixtures against Fleetwood Town and Bournemouth.
After more than two months on the sidelines, the 31-year-old bid farewell to the Baggies faithful on the final day of the season, coming off the bench for the last 37 minutes following an injury to Kyle Bartley.
Ajayi joined West Brom from Rotherham United in 2019 and went on to make 177 appearances for the club, 147 of them as a starter.
He found the net 13 times during his spell in the Midlands, with memorable goals against Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, at academy level, West Brom have offered new deals to three forwards of Nigerian descent: Eseosa Sule, Dan Chimeziri and Divine Onyemachi.
Sule, a former Celtic youth player, made his professional debut last season, featuring as a substitute in the final 18 minutes of a Carabao Cup tie against Fleetwood Town.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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Ex-West Brom man could not inspire play-offs – but could finish with European medal
Former Albion loan frontman Will Lankshear has travelled with Tottenham’s squad for Wednesday night’s Europa League final in Spain.
Spurs meet Manchester United in an all-English affair in Bilbao in Europe’s second club competition.
At stake is the Europa League title and – perhaps more notably in the long-term – a place in next season’s Champions League for the clubs who sit 17th and 16th in the Premier League after diabolical campaigns.
Among the Spurs contingent in the Basque region is striker Lankshear, the forward prospect who has played a role in his club’s journey.
The only goal of his senior career came in the first half of the season away to Turkish giants Galatasaray in a heated affair in early November. Lankshear netted early on and was then dismissed for two bookings on the hour in a 3-2 Spurs defeat.
He made two Europa League starts and a further cameo from the bench, as well as three Premier League appearances as a substitute.
Lankshear, who turned 20 last month, spent the final three months of the Championship campaign on loan at Albion.
