Divin Mubama has revealed that he has joined Premier League champions Manchester City.
The 19-year-old striker is a product of West Ham United's academy which he joined at the age of eight back in 2013, but he departed the Hammers at the end of June following the expiration of his contract.
Mubama has been searching for a new club since turning down a contract extension offered to him by West Ham, and had attracted interest from a number of clubs including Sunderland, Lyon and Famalicao.
However, instead of pursuing immediate first-team football, the teenager has opted to make the move to Man City, where he is expected to begin as a youth player in Ben Wilkinson's Elite Development Squad.
The Citizens are understand to have paid West Ham a compensation fee in the region of £2m for Mubama's services and his length of contract is currently unknown.
Man City are yet to announce the signing of Mubama, but the striker has taken to Instagram to confirm his transfer to the Etihad by posting an image of himself wearing a club jacket and holding a ball with the Man City badge.
Mubama ready for "new chapter" at Man City
Mubama's Instagram post is accompanied with a brief message saying: "New chapter 🩵🤍 @mancity" and he has since received messages of support from friends in the football community including City left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool's Bobby Clark.
The Newham-born striker has also posted a separate message thanking everyone associated at West Ham who played a "massive role" in his development over the last 11 years.
"Making a little boy from Newham's dream come true by playing in the Premier League, something that I will forever be grateful for," said Mubama.
"I learnt a lot of valuable things throughout my time from top professionals on and off the pitch that I will continue on my next journey in order to help me grow and develop throughout my professional career.
"Also a big thank you to the fans for welcoming me with open arms and every time, whether it would be on or off the pitch, and particularly those who showed me unwavering support up until now. I wish everyone associated at West Ham United FC, nothing but the best."
During his time at West Ham, Mubama scored 58 goals in 91 appearances for the Under-18s and Under-21s, and the was a member of the squad that won the 2023 FA Youth Cup.
The striker has also represented England at all youth age groups from Under-15s to Under-20s, most recently playing for the latter in March.
Mubama made his senior debut for West Ham in a Europa Conference League group-stage victory over FCSB in November 2022, before scoring his first and only senior goal in a last-16 win over AEK Larnaca at the London Stadium in March last year.
The youngster went on to make a total of 18 first-team appearances for West Ham, including eight Premier League outings, and wore the Claret and Blue for the final time as a late substitute in a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United in January.
Mubama will hope to impress in Man City's youth system in the hope of stepping up into Pep Guardiola's first team in the near future.
Oliver Thomas
