Divin Mubama is the winner of the 2022/23 Mark Noble Award!
An immense season for Mubama has seen the 18-year-old make an impact in three different West Ham teams, with the striker playing a crucial role in both the U21s and U18s while also earning his opportunity in David Moyes' first team.
“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,” said Mubama, who was born in Newham. “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."
Mubama started the campaign in Mark Robson's development team and his adaptation to the requirements and vigours of U21s football saw the forward earn his first chance in the senior side, starting the Hammers' UEFA Europa Conference League Group B match away to FCSB. Mubama, along with fellow graduate Ollie Scarles, made an immediate impression on the Claret and Blue Army, with only a cruel deflection stopping the youngster from registering a senior goal on his debut in the 3-0 win.
Mubama, buoyed by his first team showing, found incredible goalscoring form in the weeks and months that followed. At U21s level, the atttacker would score 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.
The 18-year-old would also feature 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.
“Divin will be the first person to admit that he had a spell of not playing at his best but, even then, you couldn’t leave him out of the team because he would still cause problems and he would still score goals. He has had a very good return when it comes to goalscoring this season, which has further elevated him into the U21s and into the first team set-up.
“He now falls between three different teams, gets asked to train and play across all of those teams, and he takes it in his stride. That’s a true testament to him and his character, and he is getting the rewards and plaudits for that.
“When you’ve got players with the attitude and work ethic like Divin, it makes our job as Academy staff and coaches so much easier. Younger players in our Academy are now looking up to Divin, and taking on board the way he manages his lifestyle, because it’s impeccable. That’s a massive credit to him on a personal level. He has truly enjoyed an incredible season and he’s a great personality too.”
