By Bonface Mulyungi
Nico O’Reilly has been voted the 2025/26 Premier League Young Player of the Season.
The versatile 21-year has been a revelation for Manchester City this season, playing in multiple roles throughout their title-chasing campaign.
“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,” O’Reilly told Man City’s official website after winning the award.
“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’m excited to finish the season strong tomorrow and then head to my first [FIFA] World Cup before joining back up with City and working hard again next season.”
O’Reilly’s path to the first team
A boyhood fan of City, O’Reilly progressed through the club’s age groups after signing with the academy aged eight.
He captained Man City’s Under-18s to the Premier League title in that particular category in 2022/23 and, after impressing in the elite development squad, O’Reilly made his breakthrough into the senior side last season.
O’Reilly’s progress has been little short of sensational, making 34 appearances and having eight goal involvements (five goals, three assists) while playing a part in nine clean sheets.
By combining his strength, ball-playing ability and tireless energy, O’Reilly has emerged as one of the division’s most complete all-round players, and is equally effective both defending and attacking.
Following Man City’s 2-1 home win over Newcastle United in February, when O’Reilly scored both of the Blues’ goals and was named Player of the Match, Guardiola spoke in glowing terms about his young star.
“He’s played full-back, played holding midfielder when Rodri was not there, now he’s in his position [central midfield],” Guardiola said.
“I know the pace he has. What a player. He has made an incredible step up and he has had a lot of minutes, but he deserves it.”
O’Reilly, who also netted two goals in the EFL Cup final to seal a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, was handed his senior England debut against Serbia last November and was recently named Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year. He started Man City’s FA Cup final win against Chelsea earlier this month.
It has truly been a remarkable season for O’Reilly, who wins the Premier League Young Player of the Season award after votes from supporters were combined with those of a panel of experts. The shortlist of eight players aged 21 or under at the start of season also included his Man City team-mate Rayan Cherki.
