West Ham announce two stars will leave club TODAY as they join nine other players on release list
WEST HAM have released two more players, weeks after announcing their retained list.
Ben Johnson, 24, and Divin Mubama, 19, will both leave the London Stadium on the expiry of their contracts today.
A statement on the club website read: “West Ham United can confirm that Ben Johnson and Divin Mubama will leave the Club when their respective contracts expire at midnight on 30 June 2024.
“West Ham United would like to thank Ben and Divin for their hard work and commitment during their careers in Claret and Blue and wish them the very best in the future.”
Their release comes almost four weeks after the Hammers published their retained and released list.
Both players were included in the list as stars who were holding discussions with the club over extending their stay.
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But after failing to come to an agreement, the duo are now free agents.
Both players are academy graduates from West Ham and leave the club having broken into the first team by rising through the ranks.
Mubama made his debut back in 2022 and has since gone on to make 18 first team appearances.
While Johnson’s connection with the club stems back to his professional debut in 2019.
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Johnson ultimately made 109 appearances for West Ham and even payed his part in the Irons’ Europa Conference League success in 2023.
The former England youth international released a statement on the club website thanking the fans for supporting him during his 17-year stint on the books in east London.
He wrote: “I wish West Ham every success for the upcoming season under the new head coach and of course I’m going to miss all my teammates and the staff, along with the supporters.
“West Ham will always be a part of my life which I’ll remember with fondness and a lot of love.
“I’ve developed into a young man and better player because of West Ham, so finally a huge thank you to the Club!”
Johnson may already have a new club lined up with Ipswich Town in talks to sign the defender.
Johnson and Mubama join nine other players released by West Ham this summer.
Angelo Ogbonna was the most notable of the other nine stars, while goalkeeper Joseph Anang was also shown the exit door.
The other seven names to leave are all academy prospects.
They are Jacob Knightbridge, Keenan Appiah-Forson, Dan Chesters, Liam Jones, Jerry Umolu, Seb Boothe and Blaise Uwandji.
Ben Johnson's statement in full
Hello everyone,
Thank you to everyone associated with West Ham United for supporting me over the last 17 years and developing me into a first-team player.
I have been blessed to have come through the Academy of Football and to play for the first team in the Premier League, domestic cups and in European competitions.
I just want to be known and remembered for my time at West Ham for having played with a smile on my face and having really enjoyed my football. That’s really important to me.
I would say the most special memory I have is winning the UEFA Europa Conference League. To be involved in a European trophy win doesn’t come around frequently, so to be around and be part of it, and to be able to achieve that with West Ham was incredible.
My dreams were exceeded by what happened two seasons ago and I’m just so, so pleased I did it as a West Ham player. I’ll never forget that night.
I wish West Ham every success for the upcoming season under the new head coach and of course I’m going to miss all my teammates and the staff, along with the supporters.
West Ham will always be a part of my life which I’ll remember with fondness and a lot of love. I’ve developed into a young man and better player because of West Ham, so finally a huge thank you to the Club!
See you all soon.
Johno