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Nico O'Reilly Wins Young Player, Man City Fan-Vote, England Squad

5/24/2026

40 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Nico O'Reilly Wins

Nico O'Reilly was named the 2025-26 Premier League Young Player of the Season on 23 May 2026.
He also became Manchester City’s Etihad Player of the Season, the youngest fan-vote winner at 21.
He made 53 appearances, scoring nine goals and six assists, with five league goals and three assists.
He was named to England’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup after his senior debut in November.

Summary

O'Reilly Wins

He captured the Etihad Player of the Month fan vote in February and again in April.
He entered Manchester City’s academy at eight and rose through every youth level.
City coaches called him “position-less,” noting his fluid shifts between defence and attack.
After the award, he credited hard work for earning the manager’s trust and becoming a complete player.

Summary

O'Reilly Named

O'Reilly was named to England’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, his first tournament.
His selection followed the omission of Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Phil Foden from the roster.
He has three senior caps, two England assists, and in the 2025-26 Champions League added one goal and two assists for Manchester City.
O'Reilly thanked his family and Manchester City staff for supporting his breakthrough.

History

Historical Context

In 1992, as the Premier League launched, 18-year-old Ryan Giggs won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, repeating it in 1993. His rise proved academy players could become first-team stars, a path Manchester City followed with Nico O'Reilly, who secured the 2026 Premier League Young Player of the Season and an England World Cup squad.

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Nico O'Reilly Wins

Nico O'Reilly was named the 2025-26 Premier League Young Player of the Season on 23 May 2026.
He also became Manchester City’s Etihad Player of the Season, the youngest fan-vote winner at 21.
He made 53 appearances, scoring nine goals and six assists, with five league goals and three assists.
He was named to England’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup after his senior debut in November.

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