Henry Beats Awoniyi, Kalu, Dennis, Uche To Most Promising Player Of The Year In Belgium

Published: February 08, 2018

Everton loanee Henry Onyekuru claimed the Most Promising Player of the Year at the 64th Golden Shoe Gala on Wednesday night.

The RSC Anderlecht striker saw off competition from 37 other young stars, including four Nigerian talents, to win the accolade.

Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge), Uche Agbo (Standard Liege), Samuel Kalu (Gent) and Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi had been shortlisted and finished 12th, 13th, 17th and 23rd in the voting.

Onyekuru, who was not present at the gala ceremony, accumulated 219 points in the poll to emerge winner ahead of Hassan Bandé (162) and Landry Dimata (128).

The 20-year-old had notched 9 goals from 19 appearances in the Belgian First Division A this season prior to his spell on the sidelines, and scored 12 goals for Eupen in 2017 to take his tally to 21 in the top-flight last year.

In other categories, Club Brugge midfielder Ruud Vormer won the Golden Shoe, Felice Mazzu Coach of the Year, Lovre Kalinic Goalkeeper of the Year, Janice Cayman Golden Shoe (Women) and Eden Hazard Best Belgian abroad.

The Golden Shoe gala is sponsored by the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : instagram.com