Divin Mubama could not contain his delight at scoring his first goal at U23s level for West Ham United.
Mubama slid in to tuck home the Hammers fifth goal in an exciting 5-0 win over Derby County at London Stadium on Monday, securing a fully-deserved win in the final match of the Premier League 2 season.
The striker has made nine appearances from the bench for Mark Robson’s development squad this season, having performed exceptionally well at U18s level scoring 18 times in 23 appearances, and Mubama was thrilled to finally repay the lead coach with a finish.
The 18-year-old could not have chosen a finer place to do it than London Stadium.
“I want to thank Robbo for giving me the opportunities in the U23s,” Mubama told West Ham TV. “I was just hungry in this game.
"I was hungry to come on and I was ready to score. It’s always in my mind and I wanted to be ready for that chance. Obviously, that chance came at the end, and I took it. I’m really happy.
“We know where Derby are in the league but our team went 100 per cent and didn’t take our foot off the gas. It was the last game of the season and what a venue to do it in.
"It’s so great to play at London Stadium. So many great memories have been made here and I really enjoyed it.”
Mubama knows he faces strong competition for a regular starting position in the U23s, with fellow youth-team forward Sonny Perkins in sensational form this season, but the striker is eager to keep pushing on and progressing in the new campaign.
“It’s just about being patient. Sonny Perkins is obviously doing very well in this team and scoring a lot of goals, and full credit to him. I’ve just had to be patient and wait my turn.
“Next season, I’m going to push hard for the U23s No9 spot, and who knows.”
While the U23s season is wrapped up, Mubama’s campaign is not quite finished as he and the U18s prepare to take on Norwich City in their final league outing on Saturday.
The young Irons could still be in with a shout of winning the U18 Premier League South title, provided league leaders Southampton drop points in their game in hand in midweek, but Mubama insists the U18s are fully focused on themselves.
“I think the boys are well prepared for this week,” he added. “It’s the last game of the season for us U18s, of course, and we want Southampton to drop points on Wednesday.
“We’re not looking too much at them though. We’ve got to focus on our last game, against Norwich, and hope we can do the job.”
