Manchester City complete signing of £2m West Ham striker after Erling Haaland back-up decision

Manchester City have completed the signing of Divin Mubama from West Ham United.

The 19-year-old confirmed the news on Thursday night, ahead of transfer deadline day, with City not announcing the deal as per their policy on youth-team arrivals.

Mubama has shone at underage level for West Ham and England, and has earned international caps at every age group form Under-15s to Under-20s. The striker’s contract expired at the London Stadium this summer and, amid widespread interest, Mubama has penned a new deal at City.

He posted an image on social media wearing a City tracksuit on Thursday, accompanied with the caption ‘new chapter’, while he also thanked West Ham in a separate Instagram. 

“I would like to thank everyone at West Ham, players & staff who all played a massive role in my development during my 11 year journey,” he wrote.

“Making a little boy from Newham’s dream come true by playing in the premier league, something that I will forever be grateful for. I learnt alot 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.”

Mubama will join Ben Wilkinson’s Under-21 side for the 2024/25 season but is expected to regularly train with Pep Guardiola’s first team given his talents. City paid West Ham £2m in compensation for the transfer, in accordance with FA rules for homegrown players

At youth level, the forward has been prolific and he netted 13 in 20 Premier League 2 games in 2022/23, as well as eight in five FA Youth Cup appearances in the same season. Mubama has also made 18 appearances for West Ham’s senior team, scoring in a 4-0 Europa Conference League win over Larnaca in March 2023.

The teenager played 12 times under David Moyes last season, including five appearances in the Premier League.

While Mubama is seen as a signing for the future, he does provide Guardiola with an extra attacking option now, especially with the senior squad lacking a natural replacement for Erling Haaland.

Following the departure of Julian Alvarez, City considered several options in the market, but ahead of the transfer window closing at 11pm tonight (Friday), no late arrivals are expected. It could leave the door open for Mubama to be given first-team opportunities this season.