Everton striker wins England player of the year award

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been named England under-21s’ player of the year by the FA’s broadcast partner, BT Sport.

Calvert-Lewin, 21, scored five goals in seven appearances for Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions in 2018, and came out on top in a shortlist drawn up by a panel including former centre-forwards Michael Owen and Chris Sutton

Having scored the winning goal in the final of the 2017 under-20s European Championships, Calvert-Lewin was key to Boothroyd’s side qualifying for the same competition at under-21s level in San Marino next year.

Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

The young striker, who has six Everton goals this campaign, told the club’s website:

“It is a pleasant surprise. I got the message on Thursday night saying I had won it, so I am delighted to win such an award.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to the panel at BT Sport. To get their appreciation and be recognised for what I have been doing is a great feeling. I am very grateful to them for giving me this award.

“It has been a productive year for me with England. We are building up to the European Championships now and working hard in preparation for that tournament.

“I have managed to get a few goals in the qualifiers and friendlies and I feel my form has been pretty good. I have tried to take that into the Premier League and kick on from there.

“This award gives me further motivation going into the second half of the season. It’s a nice confidence boost so I’ll try to take that into my performances. It is a proud moment for a proud Englishman.”

Calvert-Lewin came off the bench on Sunday to seal a 2-0 home win for Everton over Bournemouth with a clinical finish in injury time.