African footballers. Nigerian UK-born Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has been named as the England Men’s Player of the Year for the second season in a row.
Saka was surprised with the news at St. George’s Park in the form of a special present to mark his 22nd birthday, after reporting for duty during September’s international window.
The Gunners favourite now has 28 senior caps to his name with this latest accolade coming alongside a fine season for his club. He was recently named PFA Young Player of the Season and included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Saka scored three of England’s 13 goals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup before ending the 2022/23 campaign by netting a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
The 22-year-old also impressed at club level last season as he provided 14 goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.
Saka is the fourth man to win England’s Player of the Year prize in consecutive seasons – after Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.
Kane finished third in the vote for the 2022/23 award, behind Jude Bellingham in second.
“Back to back, what an honour,” Saka tweeted on Wednesday morning. Thank you to everybody who voted me England’s Men’s Player of the year. I’m very grateful”.
Saka will likely make his 29th senior appearance for the Three Lions on Saturday when Gareth Southgate’s team take on Ukraine in Poland.
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