Jovan Malcolm joined York on loan from Stevenage last week and has got off to a flying start with two goals in his first two appearances in a City shirt. What highs and lows has the 23-year-old experienced in his footballing life so far, and why did an Instagram DM that was almost left on read change the direction of his career?
Jovan Malcolm was just six years old when he joined the West Bromwich Albion academy, and as he progressed through the youth ranks he developed a reputation as one of their top prospects. After breaking into the U18 side, he scored 11 goals in 15 appearances across the 2019/20 season, including a standout performance against Liverpool U18 when he scored four times in the first half. The following season saw Malcolm make the jump to the U23 side, and in 2021 he signed a three-year professional deal at The Hawthorns despite rumoured interest from bigger clubs.
Having signed pro terms, Malcolm then headed out on loan to Accrington Stanley of League One for his first taste of men’s football. Across six months at Stanley, he was often used as an option from the bench or played out wide, but did score his first professional goal in the EFL Trophy. Having been recalled by West Brom in January, he then spent a brief spell on loan with Solihull Moors (where he played alongside another recent York signing in Harry Boyes), but ended the season turning out again for the Baggies’ U23 team. The season ended in glory for that young Baggies side, as they triumphed over Wolves U23 on penalties in the Premier League Cup final: Malcolm came on as a substitute for the late Quevin Castro, and picked up a winner’s medal despite missing a penalty in the shootout.
In the 2022/23 season, new West Brom manager Carlos Corberán began to integrate Malcolm into the first-team squad. He made his debut in an FA Cup tie against Chesterfield, and it was a dream start to life in the first team as he came off the bench to head the fourth goal in a 4-0 win. Malcolm later described the moment as “the best feeling I’ve had in football so far”. His opportunities continued to be limited, however, with just one further FA Cup appearance and a start against Sheffield United on the final day of the Championship season.
