Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly has been voted the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season. The award caps an impressive first full campaign. The year already includes England World Cup selection and key roles in City’s league push. O’Reilly also helped secure a domestic cup double.
The 21-year-old is the third Manchester City footballer to receive the honour. The Young Player of the Season award has existed since 2019. Phil Foden won in 2020-21 and 2021-22, before Erling Haaland in 2022-23. That sequence highlights City’s recent success in developing elite younger talent.
Across the current Premier League season, O’Reilly has appeared 34 times. City still have one match to play, a home fixture against Aston Villa. That game will also act as a farewell for Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones. From left-back, O’Reilly has scored five league goals and produced three assists.
Within the squad, only Erling Haaland has more Premier League goals this season. Haaland has scored 27, while Phil Foden has seven and Antoine Semenyo has six. O’Reilly follows with five, highlighting attacking output from full-back. The award panel selected O’Reilly ahead of Rayan Cherki and Bournemouth pair Junior Kroupi and Alex Scott. Michael Kayode, Kobbie Mainoo, Lewis Hall and Mateus Fernandes completed the shortlist.
O’Reilly has also played a central part in Manchester City’s domestic silverware this campaign. Guardiola’s final season at the club has delivered victories in both major cups. In March, City beat Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup final. O’Reilly scored both goals in that showpiece, strengthening the case for individual recognition.
“I’m very proud to have won this award, the 21-year-old told City’s website. After my first appearances in senior football last season, I knew this year I could have the opportunity to play more and help the team as much as possible if I worked hard. To get so many minutes and earn the trust of the manager and my team-mates has been the greatest achievement in my career so far. I am so grateful to my family and everyone at City because this wouldn’t have been possible without them. I’m excited to finish the season strong tomorrow and then head to my first World Cup before joining back up with City and working hard again next season.”
Internationally, O’Reilly was included in England’s World Cup squad on Friday. Coaches expect O’Reilly to start at the tournament. The call-up gives the defender a chance to carry club form onto the global stage. It comes soon after the league season closes against Aston Villa.
Manchester City highlighted O’Reilly’s breakthrough year on social media. The club shared a video package on 23 May 2026. The montage captured key moments from the campaign, including league contributions and cup final goals. It showed how quickly O’Reilly has become central within Guardiola’s departing squad.
O’Reilly’s recognition as Premier League Young Player of the Season crowns a demanding campaign. The year combined regular league minutes, decisive cup displays and rapid international promotion. It confirms O’Reilly’s status within a Manchester City side entering a new era. That era will continue without Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.
Story first published: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 19:07 [IST]
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