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Nico O'Reilly Wins PFA Men's Young Player of the Year

The peer-voted prize marks his breakthrough season, positioning him for higher expectations as he begins a new chapter under Enzo Maresca.

Overview

  • O'Reilly collected the PFA Men's Young Player of the Year trophy at Tuesday's awards in a vote of his professional peers, a recognition that raises his profile across English football.
  • He earned the honour after a 2025/26 campaign in which he made more than 50 appearances, scored nine goals, and supplied six assists while playing a key role in Manchester City's League Cup and FA Cup wins.
  • City used O'Reilly in several roles last season, most notably converting the academy graduate from an attacking midfield position into an effective left back, a versatility that managers at the club have praised.
  • O'Reilly has also broken into the senior England squad, featured at the 2026 World Cup, and says he now wants to improve his goals and assists totals, keep playing for England, and win more trophies.
  • Peers and club staff publicly congratulated him after the award, and City academy officials highlighted that five of the last six PFA young-player winners came through the club, a trend that intensifies expectations for O'Reilly's next steps.