Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom has been named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season at the EFL Awards on Sunday evening.
Akpom is rewarded for a terrific season that has seen him score 29 goals in 38 games – 28 coming from 33 league starts.
Barring1 a late flurry of goals elsewhere he will become the first Boro player to scoop the Golden Boot since John Hickton bagged 25 during the 1970/71 Second Division season.
The former Arsenal man set a new Sky Bet Championship high for successive home strikes when he scored his ninth against Hull City at the Riverside in midweek.
“It means a lot to get acknowledged for the work during the season and I’m really grateful for it,” said a delighted Chuba, who was also named in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Year.
“There’s a lot of quality players in this league so for me to even be on the shortlist was an amazing accomplishment.
Chuba was quick to pay tribute to his Boro team-mates for what has been an amazing season so far.
“I always try to tell people it’s not just me,” he said. “It’s about the team. I couldn’t do it. I feel like the manager has got the perfect players for the way we want to play.
“The changing room is amazing, there’s a good relationship s between everyone and I’m grateful to everyone for their support and I wouldn’t have been nominated without them.”
Meanwhile, Burnley handler and former Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany won the Manger of the Season award.
The former Belgian international guided Burnley back to the Premier League.
