Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has made history after claiming the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.
The Norwegian has had an exceptional debut season in England. Earlier this month Haaland became the highest-scoring player in a single Premier League campaign after surpassing Alan Shearer’s 35-goal haul.
Indeed, overall the eccentric Norweigen has scored 52 goals in 51 matches as City continue their charge for the treble.
And Haaland is now receiving recognition for his record-breaking season. After winning the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year in early May, the Premier League have now presented the 22-year-old with their own awards.
Haaland makes Premier League history… again
Haaland has made history by becoming the first player to be awarded both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the Premier League’s annual awards.
Having already picked up the senior award, Haaland has also been named Young Player of the Year, finishing atop a shortlist that also included Sven Botman, Moises Caicedo, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Introduced for the 2019/20 season, the award can be won by any player who begins the season aged 23 or under. And with Haaland only set to turn 23 in July, he will be eligible to win the award again next season as well under the current regulations.
While English football is recognising Haaland’s achievements, the Norway international is focused on finishing the season strongly.
Having already wrapped up the Premier League title, Pep Guardiola’s men take on Manchester United in the FA Cup final next Saturday, before going up against Inter in the Champions League final a week later.
Speaking at the Football Writers Award via Sports Mail, Haaland said: “There are two finals left, we have to stay focused even though we won the Premier League.
“We have to stay focused to achieve what we can achieve in the next two finals. I will do everything I can to achieve good things in the finals and hopefully win both.”