Onyekuru Delighted to Receive Belgium’s Best Talent Award

Henry Onyekuru has expressed his delight after being named the Most Promising Player of the Year at the prestigious Soulier d’Or Awards in Brussels, Belgium. The ceremony, held on Wednesday, saw Onyekuru receive the accolade for his outstanding performances in the Belgian first division during the past year.

The Soulier d’Or, also known as the Belgian Golden Shoe Awards, is an esteemed recognition given to the best footballer in Belgium each year. Sponsored by the renowned Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the award highlights the exceptional talent within the country’s top division.

Despite currently recuperating from a knee injury sustained in December, Onyekuru’s remarkable achievements on the field were acknowledged by the footballing community. The young Nigerian forward emerged victorious, surpassing the likes of Mechelen’s Hassan Bandé and Landry Dimata to claim the prestigious award.

Onyekuru’s exceptional performances for KAS Eupen and Anderlecht, where he was on loan from Everton, were instrumental in his success. Scoring an impressive total of 24 goals for Eupen and 10 for Anderlecht in 2017, Onyekuru showcased his immense talent and potential.

Receiving 219 votes, Onyekuru’s victory was well-deserved, with Bandé and Dimata polling 162 and 128 votes respectively. In response to the award, Onyekuru expressed his gratitude and promised that this was just the beginning of his remarkable journey.

“I am honored to receive the Belgium Talent of the Year award. It has been a great journey so far, and there is more to come,” Onyekuru shared on his verified Twitter handle. “I thank the almighty God for his grace, and I also want to thank my family for their love and support.”

Speaking to Everton’s official website, Onyekuru extended his gratitude to everyone who had supported him throughout his career. “I want to thank everyone for their support in helping me win this award,” he said. “I want to thank God for life and making me who I am today, and my family for always pushing me to get to this stage.”

Acknowledging the role of Aspire Academy in his development, Onyekuru added, “I must also thank Aspire Academy for the help they gave me and for taking me to KAS Eupen. The fans of Eupen and Anderlecht have always been fantastic to me, and alongside my teammates and the staff, allowed me to win this award.”

Onyekuru’s parent club, Everton, also congratulated the talented young player on his achievement. The Premier League club tweeted their support, saying, “Congratulations to @henryconyekuru, who has been named Belgium’s Talent of the Year this evening.”

This recognition serves as a testament to Onyekuru’s skill and potential, and the young forward is determined to return to the pitch as soon as possible, further inspiring and captivating fans with his extraordinary talent.