Manager Cautions Young Striker Over Career Decisions, Advises Commitment to the Club

West Ham manager David Moyes has urged young striker Divin Mubama to reconsider his decision and commit to the club, warning him against making the same “big mistakes” as previous academy talents who left for pastures new.

Mubama, one of West Ham’s most promising academy players, is currently out of contract at the end of this season. Despite being offered a long-term deal, the 19-year-old has declined to sign the contract, leaving his future uncertain.

The forward was an integral part of West Ham’s FA Youth Cup-winning team last season and made several first-team appearances, including scoring his first senior goal in the Europa Conference League win over AEK Larnaca in March. While he had an active preseason, there have been limited opportunities this season, with Mubama making only three substitute appearances and yet to feature in the Premier League.

“Divin was offered a contract 12 months ago, but he’s the one who hasn’t agreed to sign it,” Moyes confirmed. “We really like him, he’s an East End boy, a West Ham supporter, and a great lad. We love him to bits. I think the best thing for Divin is to sign a contract with West Ham. There’s competition ahead of him, but he’s young, and if I can get him more chances, I will do. It’s not easy for an 18-year-old centre forward in the Premier League.”

Moyes also reflected on West Ham’s growing frustration with the departure of young talent in recent years. Players like Jeremy Ngakia, Harrison Ashby, and Sonny Perkins all left the club after refusing to extend their contracts, which ultimately led to West Ham losing them for little to no transfer fee. Ashby, for example, was sold to Newcastle United in January for a cut-price fee, while Perkins moved to Leeds United and is now on loan at Oxford United in League One.

“A lot of young players are getting impatient, but the bigger problem is their agents pushing them to move and get games elsewhere,” Moyes added. “So many are making the wrong decisions. There are a few players who have left here who have made massive mistakes. They were in a great environment here, where we focus on developing young talent. We don’t have a huge squad, we’re not always buying new players, and we want to give young players chances.”

Mubama’s brief appearance in West Ham’s Europa League victory over Olympiacos was met with an enthusiastic reception from the London Stadium crowd. Moyes’s decision to bring Mubama on ahead of more experienced players like Michail Antonio and Danny Ings with the game still tightly poised at 1-0 was significant.

Antonio, who started the season as West Ham’s first-choice striker, has yet to score since August, leading to increased speculation over his future. Moyes made it clear that Jarrod Bowen is now seen as his preferred option in the striker role, and this competition for places could affect Antonio’s position.

“Micky has always had competition, and he needs to score goals,” Moyes said. “If you want to be a No9, that’s what you have to do. We need Mick to find his form, compete, and get back into goalscoring rhythm. He’s been a huge part of the team, and we want him to keep fighting for his place.”