Chuba Akpom named 2023 PFA Championship Players’ PLayer of the Year

Former Middlesbrough striker, Chuba Akpom, has emerged as the inaugural recipient of the highly coveted PFA Championship Players’ Player of the Year Award.

The Nigerian-born forward won the award at the 50th PFA Awards held at the Lowry Theatre.

The 27-year-old showcased his prowess by netting an impressive 28 goals in 40 appearances, cementing his position at the top of the second-tier goal-scoring chart.

Akpom, who is now signed to Ajax, beats competition from fellow player of Nigerian descent Nathan Tella who scored 17 goals, including two hat-tricks while on loan at Burnley and helped the Clarets’ remarkable ascent to the Premier League.

However, his impressive performance and pivotal role also significantly contributed to his team’s formidable push toward the Championship playoffs.

The Super Eagles-eligible striker thrived under the management of Michael Carrick but never got a call-up to the Nigeria national team.

The competitive field also featured Josh Brownhill, Iliman Ndiaye, Carlton Morris, and Viktor Gyokeres, all of whom demonstrated exceptional goal-scoring prowess throughout the Championship season.

As the inaugural winner of the PFA Championship Players’ Player of the Year Award, Chuba Akpom has not only etched his name in the football history but also taken his career to another level.

Meanwhile, England international of Nigerian descent, Bukayo Saka also won the Young Player of the Year award for his stellar performance with Arsenal last season.