Nico O'Reilly has been named the Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year, a well-deserved honor that highlights his rapid rise through the ranks. The announcement came during the Premier League Youth Development Conference and Academy Awards Dinner at Wembley on Tuesday evening, adding a touch of prestige to the occasion.

In his first full season with Pep Guardiola's first team, the 21-year-old has become a fixture in City's matchday squad. While O'Reilly honed his skills as a midfielder during his academy days, Guardiola spotted something special in his versatile attributes. By leveraging his strength, composure on the ball, and relentless energy, O'Reilly has seamlessly transitioned to left-back—a position he's made his own with a perfect blend of defensive grit and attacking flair.

This season, O'Reilly has tallied 33 league appearances, contributing five goals and three assists as City battles for the 2025/26 Premier League title. Since January, he's featured in 12 of City's 13 unbeaten matches and has helped secure 15 clean sheets across the campaign. One standout moment came when he scored a brace to power City to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad, just six months after signing a new contract as a boyhood blue.

His hard work has also earned him a senior England debut, capping off a season the youngster will never forget. O'Reilly follows in the footsteps of fellow City graduates Liam Delap and Cole Palmer as the third consecutive recipient of this award from the club, underscoring the strength of their academy system.

Everyone at Manchester City extends their congratulations to Nico on this latest accolade. As the team pushes for the title, fans can catch them in action when the postponed clash with Crystal Palace takes place at 20:00 on Wednesday, May 13. Tickets start from £43 for adults and £18 for Under-18s, with hospitality options to suit every budget—perfect for showing your support in style!