Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has been voted as the best player of the England men’s national team for the past year.
He beat Tottenham Hotspur striker and England captain Harry Kane and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice to the prize.
The Three Lions star with Nigerian heritage was announced as the winner of the award today.
“Bukayo Saka has been voted the 2021-22 England Men’s Player of the Year connected by EE,” the England team announced on their official website today.
“The 21-year-old was selected by fans as the Three Lions’ stand-out star of the last 12 months ahead of Declan Rice and Harry Kane in second and third respectively.”
Saka made nine appearances for England in the course of the international season and scored three times, including a man-of-the-match performance on his birthday during the 4-0 win over Andorra at Wembley.
The in-form Arsenal forward, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, was told of the news and presented with the award by a group of young grassroots footballers at England’s St. George’s Park training base ahead of the UEFA Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany billed for tonight and Monday night respectively.
Saka has 18 England caps and has become the first Arsenal men’s player to win the award since its inception in 2003.
He was also recently named Arsenal’s player of the season for the second year running and has been shortlisted for the prestigious Kopa Trophy, an honour bestowed on the world’s best players under the age of 21.
