Mubama wins Mark Noble Young Hammer of Year Award
Exciting West Ham striker Divin Mubama has become the winner of the 2022/23 Mark Noble Award!
The 18-year-old made an incredible impact in three different West Ham teams, the U21s and U18s and occasional first team appearances.
And discussing the award the Newham-born teenager he said: “Obviously, it’s a lovely moment and I’m grateful and it’s something that is reward for my hard work this season, so I’m just glad to get this award. Me and Nobes have a great relationship off the pitch, even from when I was an U15, with the conversations we’ve had, I’m glad to get the award with his name on it.
“I just try and do the best I can and bring the positive energy. I just want to keep going on and impressing Newham and the whole of east London. It’s been massive. West Ham brings positive energy. I’ve been here since I was eight-years-old and, like I’ve told everyone, football has brought positive energy to me and everyone around me.”
Divin started the season in Mark Robson’s development team and appeared in the Hammers’ UEFA Europa Conference League Group B match away to FCSB.
Buoyed by his first team showing he found superb goal scoring form in the following months . He managed 14 goals in his next ten competitive outings for Robson’s team, and ended the campaign with 16 goals across the 2022/23 season for the side.
He also featured at U18s level, helping Kevin Keen’s side to claim the U18 Premier League South title and the FA Youth Cup. Mubama’s prolific record continued in the U18s, netting five times in six league outings and eight goals in five FA Youth Cup ties, including a hat-trick in the semi-final win over Southampton at London Stadium.
His continued progression, development and thirst to learn saw Mubama continue to earn chances in the senior side also. Having started versus FCSB, Mubama would make his Premier League debut away to Arsenal on Boxing Day, and would also feature off the bench at Brentford last weekend.
A substitute showing away to Derby County in the FA Cup fourth round was also on the cards, before Mubama registered his first goal for the Hammers in the 4-0 win over AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 second leg.
In total, Mubama has made 40 appearances across three West Ham teams this season, scoring 30 goals.
Mubama was selected as this season’s deserving winner by Academy Manager Kenny Brown and the coaching staff at the Academy of Football, who also named defender Kaelan Casey and Freddie Potts as nominees for the 2022/23 award.
“The staff and coaches in the Academy are delighted to confirm Divina as the recipient of the 2022/23 Mark Noble Award,” said Brown.
“Divin has been instrumental in the success of our U18s this season and has also found great goalscoring form in the U21s. He has led the line for both of our Academy teams throughout the season and has done so in an impressive manner, earning himself opportunities in the senior side.”
