Tunji Akinola believes a loan switch to Leyton Orient is “the perfect opportunity to kick on to the next level”.

The 21-year-old defender has joined the O’s on a season-long loan from West Ham, where he has been since he was nine.

Akinola has made over 50 appearances for the Hammers’ Under-23 side, and he told the club’s website: “I like to make tackles and blocks, and get clean sheets – it’s what I pride myself on.

“I feel like this is the perfect opportunity for me to kick on to the next level.

“I’ve played Under-23 football for a while, but this is the challenge I need, challenging every Tuesday and Saturday for three points.”