What next for City star of future as new contract agreed

Manchester Evening News · Alex James

The teenager made the breakthrough into first team football with the Blues last season before spending the second half of the campaign at Leicester City.

The 18-year-old arrived at City from West Ham in 2023 and is seen as a player with first team potential and his showings in training and games, as well as his attitude and mentality, have seen the club extend his deal, which was due to expire in 2029.

Mukasa is likely to be part of the first team set up this summer and travel to Asia on City's pre-season tour where the Blues will be without several senior stars owing to the World Cup. The attacking midfielder could remain in the first team picture next season, but a loan switch is also a possibility if the right move is found that suits City, the player and the interested clubs.

City Director of Football Hugo Viana has been impressed with what he has seen from the talented teenager and believes the future is bright for Mukasa.

“In Divine, I feel we have someone with huge potential. It’s really good news that he has decided to extend his stay with us. Since he came to City in 2023, he has consistently improved and developed.

"He works hard, shows humility and is eager to learn. That is a great combination for any young footballer. He has shown really positive development throughout his loan at Leicester, and we are excited to see him develop further over the coming seasons. I am really pleased for Divine – he deserves this."

Mukasa added: “I am really excited to see what the future has in store for me. I have learnt so much since the day I arrived at the club from players and staff alike. The experiences I have gained have definitely bettered me as a player and a person.

"With this said, I can only use the environment to continue to progress. My taste of first team football at City earlier last season has only furthered my ambition to compete at the highest level.”

He added: “I think a lot of players will say the same thing – once you’re exposed to men’s football and playing in a stadium, you never really want to go back. It’s just something that I will look to keep pushing for.

"Since coming here, the amount of development that I have made, working with the best coaches, the best players, you improve so much. It is an environment that you look to stay in and I have really enjoyed it. It is a good platform for me.

“I think just generally the end goal for me in football and what I want to achieve is what should keep me going. Not so much what is going on now. Obviously, you can’t really ever get comfortable in football as everything can change so quickly. I just need to look forward.”

Mukasa made his senior debut for City in the Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield last September and has gone on to make six appearances for the first team. He's represented England at age-group level and made 16 appearances for Leicester last term in the Championship, scoring twice as the Foxes were relegated to League One.

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