In brief
Only players who are 21 years of age or under at the beginning of the season are eligible to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
In the award’s history, just five players have taken home the honour in consecutive seasons.
The most recent PFA Young Player of the Year winner is Cole Palmer of Chelsea, who won for his 2023–2024 campaign.
Awards, whether individual or group, are always associated with the season’s conclusion. The PFA Young Player of the Year is without a doubt one of the most significant of them. Members of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) gather and cast their votes for the selected players to determine the winner.
Every voter gets the chance to choose two young champions every spring. Previously available to gamers up to age 23, it is now only available to those who are 21 years of age or younger. In 2021, this age restriction was relaxed in response to strong opposition. It is open to players from every level of the English football pyramid, but up until now, the winner has always been a player from the top flight. The inaugural award was given out in 1973 to Kevin Beattie, a defender for Ipswich Town.
Only Phil Foden, Dele Alli, Wayne Rooney, Robbie Fowler, and Ryan Giggs have received two votes from their peers thus far. Additionally, just seven players who were born outside of the UK have won the title since its establishment, while 15 players have won the PFA Player of the Year award. This is a list of all the winners of the 32 awards that have been given out since the Premier League was established in 1992.
Since 1992, every PFA Young Player of the Year
Rank
The player
Club
Time of year
One
Giggs, Ryan
United Manchester
1992–1993
2.
Andy Cole
Newcastle United
1993–1994
3.
Robbie Fowler
Liverpool
1994–1995
4.
Robbie Fowler
Liverpool
1995–1996
5.
Beckham, David
United Manchester
1996–1997
6.
Michael Owen
Liverpool
1997–1998
7.
Anelka, Nicolas
The Arsenal
1998–1999
8.
Kewell, Harry
Leeds United
1999–2000
9.
Gerrard, Steven
Liverpool
January 2000
10.
Bellamy Craig
Newcastle United
2001–2002
11.
Jenas Jermaine
Newcastle United
2002–2003
Twelve
Scott Parker
Chelsea Charlton Athletic
2003–04
13.
Rooney, Wayne
United Manchester
2004–05
14
Rooney, Wayne
United Manchester
2005–2006
15.
Ronaldo Cristiano
United Manchester
2006–07
16
Fabregas Cesc
The Arsenal
2007–2008
17
Ashley Young
Villa Aston
2008–2009
18
Milner, James
Villa Aston
2009–2010
19.
Wilshere, Jack
The Arsenal
2010–11
20
Walker, Kyle
Tottenham Hotspur
2011–12
21
Bale, Gareth
Tottenham Hotspur
2012–2013
22
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
2013–14
23
Kane, Harry
Tottenham Hotspur
2014–15
24
Alli Dele
Tottenham Hotspur
2015–16
25
Alli Dele
Tottenham Hotspur
2016–17
26
Sane Leroy
City of Manchester
2017–18
27
Sterling Raheem
City of Manchester
2018–19
28
Arnold, Trent Alexander
Liverpool
2019–20
29
Foden, Phil
City of Manchester
2020–2021
30
Foden, Phil
City of Manchester
2021–2022
31
Saka Bukayo
The Arsenal
2022–2023
32
Palmer, Cole
Chelsea
2023–2024
32
Season of Ryan Giggs: 1992–1993
Ryan Giggs was the first player to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice, having already done so at the conclusion of the 1991–92 season. He made a name for himself as the starting left-winger during that season, pushing Lee Sharpe to the sidelines.
Considered one of the game’s top young wingers, the Welshman contributed significantly to Manchester United’s championship run with nine goals and five assists in 41 Premier League games. For a team that hadn’t won a championship in 26 years, it was a significant accomplishment.
31 Andy Cole
In the winter of 1993, Andy Cole, who had previously trained at Arsenal and Bristol City, joined Newcastle. The Magpies paid £1.75 million for his services, setting a new transfer record. With 12 goals in his first 12 games, the center-forward instantly proved his worth, helping his team win Division One and advance to the Premier League.
Collage with Andy Cole, Erling Haaland, and Alan Shearer.
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The next season, however, was even better. Cole, regarded as one of the best goal scorers in Premier League history, made his debut in English football’s new elite, scoring 34 goals in 40 league games to help Newcastle finish third and earn a spot in the UEFA Cup for the first time since the 1977–78 campaign. An investment that is well worth it.
30 Robbie Fowler 1994–1995 season
After a promising start to his first season in the Premier League (28 games, 12 goals), Robbie Fowler established himself as a regular starter in 1994/95. In the period of 42 games, all of which he started, the Liverpool native found the net 25 times, while also delivering a total of eight assists.
Reds supporters will undoubtedly recall his hat-trick against Arsenal in August 1994, which lasted four minutes and thirty-three seconds, as one of the campaign’s highlights. In May 2015, Sadio Mane, who was then playing for Southampton, shattered the record that had stood for more than two decades when he scored a hat-trick in two minutes and 56 seconds against Aston Villa.
29
Season of Robbie Fowler: 1995–1996
The drop in the Premier League’s number of teams from 42 to 38 the next season had no impact on Fowler’s performance. On the contrary, they got even better.
With four goals, a hat-trick, and seven braces, the Liverpudlian scored 28 goals in 38 games, which is at least twice as much as any other Liverpool player (Stan Collymore, the team’s second-highest scorer, had 14 goals). His side finished the season in third place thanks to these goals, and they also had the second-highest goal total in the league (70), only surpassed by champions Manchester United (73).
28 David Beckham, 1996–1997 season
David Beckham, the new heir to Mark Hughes’ number 10 shirt, started the 1996–97 season as strongly as possible. The right midfielder scored an incredible goal against Wimbledon on the first day of the season from 57 yards out.
In addition to being listed among the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments chosen by the British public in 2002, Sky Sports recognised this accomplishment in 2016 by naming it the greatest opening day goal in Premier League history. Beckham established himself as a vital member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, helping Manchester United win the league again with 16 goals in 36 games (eight goals scored and eight goals created).
27Michael Owen
Season: 1997/98
The following season, Michael Owen proved to be the perfect replacement for Robbie Fowler, who was injured during the 1996–97 season and made just two Premier League appearances (scoring one goal). The English center-forward earned all the accolades he had garnered during his debut season in the top division, tallying 18 goals and dishing out 12 assists in 36 league appearances.
He won the PFA Young Player of the Year title and the Premier League Golden Boot for his incredible performance. Owen, who was regarded as one of the best players in English football, was given a five-year contract, making him the highest-paid teenager in British football history.
26
Anelka, Nicolas
Season: 1998–1999
Nicolas Anelka, who had come to Great Britain from Paris Saint-Germain the year before, started the 1998–1999 season with a league triumph under the Arsenal uniform. He had a somewhat neutral start to the season (zero goals after five games), much like the Gunners, but he quickly stepped up the pace.
Despite experiencing both successful and challenging times during the season, he ended with 17 goals in 35 Premier League outings. In addition, the Frenchman scored in the Community Shield, helping his team secure a respectable second-place result.
25.
Harry Kewell
Time of year: 1999–00
Even though he didn’t play at the top of his game for very long, Harry Kewell made an impact on his time. He was most well-known during the 1999–00 season, which saw Leeds United finish third in the Premier League because of him.
The left winger, who finished the season with 56 caps for the Socceroos (13 goals), amassed 10 goals and two assists in 35 league appearances. Inter Milan even shown interest in him. The Italian team even tried to snatch him away by offering Leeds a cheque for £25 million, but they were thwarted by the management’s wish to keep him.
24
Season of Steven Gerrard: 2000–01
Having played for Liverpool in the 1999–00 and 2000–01 seasons, Steven Gerrard inevitably made a name for himself in Gerard Houllier’s eyes during the subsequent campaign. The young English midfielder made 33 appearances in the league (29 starts), was instrumental on nine occasions (seven goals, two assists), and contributed significantly to the Reds’ successful season.
At the same time, he scored a vital goal against Alaves in the UEFA Cup final and won his first major titles (FA Cup, League Cup). He was already making an impression on onlookers, and his peers voted him the PFA Young Player of the Year.
23 Craig Bellamy, 2001–02 season
Craig Bellamy joined Newcastle in the summer of 2001 after Coventry City was relegated the season before. The Welshman had some issues off the field, but his on-field accomplishments (27 games, 10 goals, and five assists) helped him win the PFA Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
The Cardiff-born player had to deal with the police after being accused of kicking and shoving a student out of teammate Kieron Dyer’s car. He was also expelled from the Magpies’ winter camp for skipping a team lunch honouring former chairman John Hall.
22 Junior Jenas Season: 2002–2003
Six months after Bellamy’s arrival at Newcastle, Jermaine Jenas also had a great start. The Englishman, a midfielder with a box-to-box profile, had a strong second half of the 2001–02 campaign. However, he truly came into his own during the subsequent campaign.
The former Nottingham Forest player, who was in his 20s when he made 32 Premier League appearances, was instrumental eight times, tallying six goals and dishing out two assists. He also experienced the Champions League for the first time in 2002–03, where he was instrumental in the Magpies’ qualification.
21 Scott Parker; 2003–04 season
Scott Parker finished the 2003–04 season with Chelsea after starting it at Charlton. The youthful midfielder was a vital member of Chelsea’s first team under Alan Curbishley. However, when whispers of Chelsea’s interest started to swirl in the winter, everything changed.
In the closing days of the January transfer window, the Londoner finally departed the Addicks to join Stamford Bridge after being drawn to another team. Parker was viewed as Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard’s backup, but he was not given enough chances to demonstrate his abilities in his favoured role. At the end of the season, he was still chosen as the PFA Young Player of the Year despite this.
20 Wayne Rooney 2004–05 season
Needless to say, Wayne Rooney has left a lasting impression in his first season at Manchester United. “Rooney is capable of everything. “He will eventually possess all of the United records,” Manchester great Denis Law stated in September 2004.
The former Everton star wasted no time in introducing himself to the world, even though the Red Devils finished the 2004–05 season without winning a single championship. The youthful striker made 29 Premier League appearances (24 starts), with four assists and 11 goals. Although his performances were already highly captivating, they were actually only the start of the player Rooney would eventually develop into.
19 Wayne Rooney 2005–06 season
Rooney was set to start the 2005–06 season after an already excellent 2004–05 campaign. And on Matchday 1, the Englishman scored his first goal against his old team, Everton. After 38 rounds, it was the first goal of a total he would reach—16 in 36 games.
In addition to providing nine assists, the center-forward finished the season as the team’s second-highest scorer in the Premier League (his striking partner Ruud van Nistlerooy scored 21 goals). Unfortunately for him, a metatarsal injury forced him to end his season earlier than anticipated.
18 Cristiano Ronaldo 2006–07 season
Cristiano Ronaldo began the 2006/07 season in a somewhat unique environment. Following a fight with Rooney at the World Cup, the Portuguese publicly asked for a move, only to be jeered by some Manchester United supporters. The club, however, declined.
Ronaldo had an incredible season, scoring 17 goals in 34 Premier League games to lead the Red Devils to the league title, seemingly in retaliation to his management and critics. He became the first player to win all five main trophies in the same year at the end of the season: FWA Footballer of the Year, PFA Team of the Year, PFA Players’ Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, and PFA Fan’s Player of the Year.
Cesc Fabregas, 17 Season: 2007–2008
At the conclusion of the 2007–08 season, Cesc Fabregas, who had already been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award the season before, finally took home the coveted honour. It was a well-earned honour for the midfielder, who had emerged as one of Arsenal’s most important players in spite of the challenging circumstances that had pervaded the team since the year’s beginning (Thierry Henry’s move to Barcelona, doubts about Arsene Wenger’s future, internal strife).
Ultimately, the Spanish midfielder exceeded all expectations, despite the Gunners not taking home a single trophy that season. His remarkable record of 20 assists in 32 Premier League games—to which seven goals should be added—is evidence of his skill.
Ashley Young, 16 Season: 2008–2009
Ashley Young had a great start in 2008–09 and was named to the Premier League Team of the Year for his 17 assists in the previous year. He won Player of the Month in October and December after a string of goals and assists.
He became the first player in history to win the award three times in a single year with this third victory (he had previously won it in April 2008). Young was named PFA Young Player of the Year at the end of the season, despite having a slightly more challenging second half.
15 James Milner 2009–10 season
James Milner, who joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2008, was viewed by his former boss Fabio Capello as the “future” of the England national team. Following Gareth Barry’s transfer to Manchester City, the player, who was then lining up on the right, was moved back into the middle of the pitch after an impressive debut season that was hailed by everyone.
Martin O’Neill benefited from his choice as his player continued to produce excellent performances. The man who would join his old captain at the Sky Blues at the end of the season was used 36 times in the Premier League, scoring seven goals and dishing out 12 assists.
14 Jack Wilshere 2010–11 season
Capello, an Italian strategist and England coach, was enthused by Jack Wilshere’s 2010–11 season and considered him one of the Three Lions’ potential stars. As the season progressed, the England midfielder gained prominence and established a strong connection with Alex Song at the centre of the Londoners’ system.
The young player finished the season as a first-team regular and helped the Gunners finish fourth in the league after establishing himself as a key member of Arsene Wenger’s squad. Unfortunately for him, he would get an ankle injury from stress just before the new season began.
13 Kyle Walker 2011–12 season
Even though Tottenham purchased Kyle Walker from Sheffield United in 2009, he has had to wait a long time to establish himself at Spurs. The right-back did not appear to fit into the London club’s plans after multiple loan stints with Sheffield United, QPR, and Aston Villa. He even stated that he would like to transfer to Villa Park in order to get more playing time.
Harry Redknapp, the manager of Tottenham, had a different opinion of the young player, though, and was depending on him in the 2011–12 campaign. This is demonstrated by the fact that he started 37 games in 37 games the following season. In fact, at the end of the season, Walker was named the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Twelve Gareth Bale Season: 2012–2013
21 goals, four assists, and 33 games. During the 2012–13 season, Gareth Bale had an incredible record in the Premier League. After switching his shirt number from three to eleven, the Welshman solidified his position as a left-winger and was a standout in nearly every one of the 33 games he was allowed to play in during the season.
His hat-trick against Aston Villa, the first of his Premier League career, was unquestionably one of the season’s highlights. After winning the FWA Footballer of the Year, PFA Player’s Player of the Year, and PFA Young Player of the Year titles at the end of the season, Bale joined Ronaldo in 2007 as the only two players to win all three in the same season.
11 Eden Hazard 2013–14 Season
Following an outstanding debut season in England, Eden Hazard had high hopes going into the 2013–14 season. Throughout the season, the Belgian wowed both his opponents and those close to him with his unpredictable, deadly, and consistent play. Jose Mourinho regarded him as the world’s best young player, and his Premier League contemporaries at least acknowledged this.
The nimble left winger helped Chelsea achieve third place in the Premier League standings with 21 crucial goals and seven assists in 35 games. However, his coach chastised him for his lack of defensive effort after the Blues were eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, despite his efforts.
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