By Victor Kanayo
Manchester City goal poacher Erling Haaland has been crowned both Premier League Player and Young Player of the Season, the first to scoop both awards.
Haaland bagged the prestigious award after a remarkable, record-breaking campaign and goal-filled year.
Haaland Delight
Reacting via Manchester City website, he said, “I am honoured to have become the first player to win both awards in the same season – thank you to everyone who voted for me.
“It has been an incredible first season in the Premier League and lifting the Trophy last weekend in front of our fans at the Etihad was a very special moment for me.
“These awards would not have been possible without my amazing team-mates, the manager and all of the staff at the club who help me perform on the pitch. Now we have two more finals to go and we want to finish the season strong.”
A Season For Haaland To Glow In Goals And Expectational Records
The Manchester City striker has been critical to their fifth title in six years, scoring 36 goals, breaking the record of 34 for a single Premier League season set by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer in 42-match Premier League campaigns.
Only Dixie Dean, for Everton in 1927/28, has scored more goals across all competitions (63) in a top-flight English season than Haaland’s 52.
Haaland becomes the third successive Man City player, and fourth overall to claim the accolade, after Kevin De Bruyne in 2019/20 and 2021/22, while Ruben Dias took the honour in 2020/21. Vincent Kompany was the first, in 2011/12.
He was nominated for the awards alongside teammate Kevin De Bruyne, and Arsenal’s Bukola Saka, alongside Harry Kane and others, were nominated for the prestigious award.
Haaland, with 36 goals in the Premier League this season, has emerged as the winner of this award.
He emerged as the winner of the award through a combination of public votes, the votes of the 20 club captains, and the opinions of a panel of football experts.
