MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly has been officially named the 2025/26 Premier League Young Player of the Season following a breakthrough campaign that established him as one of English football’s brightest emerging stars.
The 21-year-old academy graduate earned the prestigious individual honour after a standout season under manager Pep Guardiola, where he featured prominently across multiple positions during City’s title challenge. O’Reilly made 34 appearances in all competitions, recording five goals and three assists while also contributing defensively in several tactical roles.
Okay News reports that O’Reilly’s rise through Manchester City’s academy system has been widely regarded as one of the club’s biggest success stories in recent years. A lifelong City supporter, the midfielder joined the club’s youth ranks at the age of eight before captaining the Under-18 side to a league title during the 2022/23 season.
Speaking after receiving the award, O’Reilly described the achievement as the greatest moment of his career so far. The midfielder said he had worked hard to earn the trust of Guardiola and his teammates following his initial appearances in senior football last season.
“To get so many minutes and earn the trust of the manager and my team-mates has been the greatest achievement in my career so far,” he said.
O’Reilly’s versatility became one of Manchester City’s biggest tactical assets throughout the campaign, with Guardiola deploying him in central midfield, defensive midfield, and even at full-back during injury crises within the squad.
The youngster delivered several defining performances during the season, including a memorable brace against Newcastle United in February and a two-goal display in Manchester City’s EFL Cup final victory over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium. He also featured in City’s FA Cup final triumph against Chelsea earlier this month.
Guardiola previously praised the midfielder’s rapid development, describing him as a complete player capable of influencing matches both defensively and offensively.
O’Reilly recently earned his senior England debut and is expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, further capping a remarkable year for the Manchester City academy product.
