Arsenal’s winger Bukayo Saka has won the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award, edging out Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to the gong.
The Englishman has been nominated for the past four seasons and has finally been crowned the victor for the first time. In winning the award, he becomes the first Arsenal player in 12 years to win the individual award, with Jack Wilshere winning the award in 2011.
Saka was influential in Arsenal’s title bid and was key in securing the Gunner’s return to the Champions League.
The 21-year-old saw off competition from team-mate Gabriel Martinelli and Erling Haaland, Moises Caicedo, Evan Ferguson, and Jacob Ramsey.
PFA Young Player 🏆 It's an honour for me to accept this award and have my name alongside the previous winners. To have your peers acknowledge you is a very special feeling! Thank you to the PFA and congratulations to all the other winners and nominees this evening 👏🏿 #GodsPlan pic.twitter.com/ZbWbAlYPh0
— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) August 29, 2023
Saka scored a career-high 14 goals in the Premier League last season. He also registered eleven assists in his starring role, with his rise making him one of the star names for England. He scored three goals in England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar.
The Englishman earned recognition elsewhere last term, winning the Football London Young Player of the Year award. He also finished third in the Football Writer’s Association Player of the Year voting and was nominated for both the Premier League’s Player and Young Player of the Season.
This is the 50th year of the award since it began in 1973/74, and Bukayo is the 45th different recipient.
The last five winners of the PFA Young Player of the Year:
🏴 2018/19 – Raheem Sterling
🏴 2019/20 – Trent Alexander-Arnold
🏴 2020/21 – Phil Foden
🏴 2021/22 – Phil Foden
🏴 2022/23 – Bukayo SakaFive consecutive English players for the first time this century. pic.twitter.com/MuiqCtlnWZ
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 29, 2023
