EFL Awards 2022 : Charlton whizkid emulates Lookman by winning Apprentice of the Year award

Published: April 25, 2022

Nigerian center-back Deji Elerewe was named the LFE League One Apprentice of the Year at Sunday evening's 2022 EFL Awards ceremony in London.

The 18-year-old follows in the footsteps of Super Eagles star and former Charlton Athletic winger Ademola Lookman, who was named LFE Apprentice of the Year for the Championship in 2016.

Elerewe saw off competition from Freddie Draper (Lincoln City) and Michael Williams (Crewe Alexandra) to win the prestigious accolade awarded to outstanding young professionals at EFL clubs who excel both on and off the pitch.

The promising defender signed his first professional contract with the Addicks in November 2021 and has totaled eleven appearances for the first team this season.

Speaking after winning the award, he was quoted as saying as by the official website of the EFL : "I was nervous at the start but when I got it, it felt amazing.

"I've been playing Under-18s stuff but the first-team is very different. The gaffer has given me the opportunities to play."

In other categories, Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke and Leyton Orient's Republic of Ireland youth teamer of Nigerian descent Shadrach Ogie missed out on the Championship Player of the Season and League Two Young Player of the Season award respectively.

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic claimed the Championship Player of the Season and Newport County loanee Finn Azaz the League Two Young POTS.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com