Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion defender, Semi Ibidapo Ajayi, is set to exit The Hawthorns at the end of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 31-year-old has played just 14 of Albion’s 44 games this season, missing a chunk of the season due to recurrent hamstring problems.
While Leeds United and Burnley have been promoted to the English Premier League, West Brom are six points below the Championship play-off spots, and with just two games left to play, their chances of qualification are slim. As per Darren Witcoop, Ajayi is set to leave West Brom this summer.
West Brom’s out-of-contract pair Grady Diangana and John Swift will depart this summer. Long-serving defender Semi Ajayi is also expected to leave the Championship club. #wba #albion #westbrom
— Darren Witcoop (@DarrenOWitcoop) April 22, 2025
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After nearly six seasons of donning the West Bromwich Albion shirt, Ajayi is set to leave the club. He racked up 176 appearances in that time.
The former Arsenal man was offered a new three-year deal by the club in 2022, after helping them gain promotion to the English top-flight in 2021, but there have been no talks of a new deal, with the lanky defender having just about two months left on his current contract.
Football, as we know, is full of twists, and it seems the curtain might be falling on this chapter a little earlier than expected.
What’s next for Semi Ajayi?
In the famous words of a huge number of Nigerians, when one door closes, another opens. Ajayi’s next move could take several forms.
A return to the English Premier League might be on the cards, especially with the newly promoted sides like Leeds United and Burnley.
While the 31-year-old might not walk straight into the starting eleven of these clubs, the value and experience he possesses should boast a huge resume for a player of his pedigree. Additionally, Semi might not be the fastest defender, but he’s strong in the air and reads the game well.
Alternatively, Ajayi could look outside England. Considering he’ll be a free agent, the Turkish Super Lig is a sound option for the centre-back.
The league have a rich history of signing African players like Kenneth Omeruo, Victor Osimhen, Henry Onyekuru, Oghenekaro Etebo, Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Ayodele-Bashiru.
Additionally, the French Ligue 1 and the German Bundesliga might offer a fresh footballing experience, while the Saudi Pro League provides huge financial incentives.
Championship stay?
Ajayi has played in the English second tier in all but one of his seasons as a professional player, so continuing in the same vein wouldn’t exactly be a step down.
His familiarity with the league makes him a prime transfer candidate for clubs like Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City, who were just relegated from the English Premier League, and are looking for a solid spine to rekindle their fire to return to where they came from.
Wherever he lands, Ajayi carries with him a reputation for professionalism and consistency. From his early days at Charlton and Arsenal’s academy to stints at Cardiff, AFC Wimbledon, Rotherham, and now West Brom, he’s proven that success often comes through hard work and persistence, which is a great model youngsters at several clubs can learn from.
His next move could be one of the most important of his career, not just for club glory, but for maintaining his place in the Super Eagles team that aims to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and win the AFCON 2025 tournament.
