West Ham Bring Home Divine Mukasa on Season-Long Loan From Manchester City
West Ham United have completed an emotional homecoming with the acquisition of Divine Mukasa from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal. The club confirmed on Friday that the 18-year-old attacking midfielder will spend the entire 2026/27 campaign at London Stadium in what is a straight loan with no option to buy, with the Hammers paying a modest fee to cover his wages.
It is a full-circle moment for Mukasa. Born in Newham, the England U19 international spent ten years in the West Ham academy from 2013 to 2023 before being poached by Manchester City as one of the brightest talents in English football. City saw his potential immediately — last season he registered 16 goals and 15 assists in just 20 Under-18 Premier League games — and handed him his senior debut in September 2025. He went on to make six first-team appearances, starting and assisting twice in the early rounds of the EFL Cup and FA Cup, and captaining City at youth level.
His development continued in the second half of last season on loan at Leicester City in the Championship, where he made 15 appearances, scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists, gaining crucial senior football experience. Now he returns to East London ready for the Premier League.
What Mukasa Adds to West Ham
For West Ham, this is more than just a sentimental return. Mukasa arrives to fill the number 10 role vacated since Lucas Paquetá left for Flamengo in January, and he brings a profile the Hammers have been missing.
First, creativity. A left-footed attacking midfielder who can also play as a forward, Mukasa is a classic modern number 10. He is excellent between the lines, has quick feet in tight spaces, and has an eye for a final pass. His numbers in academy football — 30 goal contributions in one season — show how productive he can be when given freedom.
Second, versatility and fearlessness. He is comfortable playing as a central attacking midfielder, off the right cutting inside, or as a false nine.
Third, a point to prove. Having been let go by West Ham as a schoolboy, this loan is a chance to show his boyhood club what they missed. He has been signed in time to be available for selection tomorrow if picked, and with West Ham needing spark and invention in the final third, Graham Potter could be tempted to throw him straight in.