Hosted at the City Football Academy, the five players were recognised by the coaching staff and their team-mates for their integral roles in the Under-18s and Elite Development Squad across the 2025/26 campaign.
Also in attendance at the awards ceremony was Academy Director Thomas Kruecken, Director of Football Hugo Viana and Men’s Assistant Manager Pep Lijnders who all congratulated the players and staff for their hard work this season.
Ben Wilkinson’s EDS placed third in the Premier League 2 League Phase before bowing out in the semi-final of the Playoffs in what was a season that highlighted progress, tenacity and togetherness.
The Under-19s, under the leadership of Wilkinson, also progressed to the knockout stage of the UEFA Youth League but a narrow defeat at HJK Helsinki saw our European journey end.
Oliver Reiss’ Under-18s have lifted two trophies this term, with the Under-18 National Final still to be played.
Our young Blues held off Manchester United in the race for the Under-18 Premier League North title, with City winning the competition with two league games remaining.
We then beat our cross-city rivals 2-1 in the FA Youth Cup final to see City lift the prestigious trophy for a fifth time in the Club’s history.
First to receive his award, Under-18 Premier League North top goalscorer Teddie Lamb was named the U18 Player of the Season.
In his debut campaign with City, the 16-year-old scored 25 league goals in 22 appearances and three FA Youth Cup goals in five games, playing an instrumental role in City’s two trophy lifts.
Next to receive an award was Tyrone Samba, who received the U18 Players’ Player of the Season trophy.
Samba featured predominantly as a number 10 within Reiss’ engine room. In the league, he totalled seven goals and seven assists, showcasing fantastic trickery and link-up with his team-mates.
And in the FA Youth Cup, he had three goal involvements in six appearances to top off his Under-18s campaign in style.
After winning the Premier League Scholar of the Year award, Leke Drake was also named the Citizen of the Season, previously named Scholar of the Season.
The recipient of the award is recognised for their work and way of life away from the pitch with the centre-back a deserved winner.
For the EDS awards, Christian McFarlane was named the Player of the Season for the Under-21s.
The full-back has shown an incredible amount of development this term at both ends of the pitch.
He helped City keep six clean sheets and also got seven goal involvements, showcasing his ability to impact matches in multiple ways with his tenacity, strength and desire to go forward.
To complete the ceremony, Brooklyn Nfonkeu was named the EDS Players’ Player of the Season.
Also a full-back, Nfonkeu’s relentless energy on the pitch and technical ability was showcased throughout his 26 appearances in all competitions.
