Aaron Cresswell is excited about the chance to see what impact Divin Mubama can have this season at Stoke City
11:00, 20 Aug 2025
Aaron Cresswell has joined Stoke City after a decade at West Ham.
Aaron Cresswell has joined Stoke City after a decade at West Ham.(Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Aaron Cresswell is excited to see the development of his old West Ham training mate Divin Mubama as they get to play together at Stoke City this season.
Mubama caught the attention of senior players including Cresswell as he was scoring goals for fun in the West Ham youth side and trying to make his first team breakthrough. In the end, the centre-forward left for Manchester City last summer and is now getting his first taste of regular action on loan with the Potters at the age of 20.
Two goals, plus one shot cleared off the line, in his first two league games is a promising start but there is no surprise that he is working his socks off to make the most of the opportunity.
Cresswell said: “I remember when D first came through at West Ham and we spoke about it the other day, funnily enough. We went to Evian on a pre-season training camp and Divin must have been 17 at the time and I remember thinking, ‘Oh gosh, who is this young kid coming through?’ He had the right attitude, he was scoring goals, he was running and putting himself about. I think that always helps and if you look at Divin now he’s applying himself and he’s scored two in two.
“He’s one I’m really excited to watch this season. It’s only a start but we’ve had two out of two so far and we want to keep that feel good factor going.”
Cresswell is at the other end of his career and is keen to benefit Stoke with his experience – but he is also relishing the chance to play regularly.
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The 35-year-old left-back said: “In the last couple of years I’ve kind of been in and out at West Ham and if you look at the squad depth we’ve got I’m sure I’m not going to play every game here. At some point the manager will want to rotate I should imagine.
“But regardless of whether I play or not, I’ll still be there supporting the lads.”
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It is more than a decade since he last played in the Championship but it is still as intense as he remembers.
He said: “Of course. It’s one of the toughest competitions. I spent three years at Ipswich in this division and I don’t think it’ll ever change. It’s very competitive and on any given day any team can beat any other. It’s relentless, Saturday-Tuesdays.
“But we’ve got a good squad and I’d like to think we’ll be ready for that challenge.”
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