West Ham United duo Ademipo Odubeko and Krisztian Hegyi up for Premier League Academy awards

 

Mipo Odubeko & Krisztian Hegyi


Academy of Football starlets Mipo Odubeko and Krisztian Hegyi have been shortlisted for the Under-23 Goal of the Season and Under-18 Save of the Season prizes respectively at the Premier League’s 2020/21 Academy Awards.

Odubeko’s nominated strike was an exquisite curling finish to draw the Hammers level against former club Manchester United in the 3-2 Premier League 2 win at Leigh Sports Village in April.

Just moments after halving his side’s two-goal deficit, the forward did superbly to bring down Conor Coventry’s lofted pass, cut inside the defender and produce an effort of real venom to find the far corner. 

Odubeko would later complete his hat-trick in injury time, one of two match-winning performances which contributed to his winning the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.

Odubeko's nominated goal is the second in the video below.
 


Hungarian youth international Hegyi, meanwhile, producing an outstanding save against eventual U18 Premier League South champions Crystal Palace in April, denying Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s top corner-bound effort at full stretch to keep his team in the game. 

It was a save made all the more impressive for the razor-sharp reflexes it required, with Hegyi initially unsighted by the presence of covering defender Levi Laing.

Watch Hegyi's nominated save on YouTube here (save takes place at 1:29:30).

Club coaches were invited to nominate the best goals and saves by their players throughout the season, with the shortlist then narrowed down by the Premier League Football Development panel.

Vying with Odubeko for the U23 Goal of the Season prize are efforts from Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa); Sam Greenwood (Leeds United); Cole Palmer (Manchester City); and Ethan Varian (Stoke City).

Also up for U18 Save of the Season, meanwhile, are shot-stoppers Sam Blair (Norwich City); Harry Christy (Leeds United); Max Metcalfe (Middlesbrough); and Radek Vitek (Manchester United).

Academy staff will vote on the winners at the Premier League’s 2020/21 Academy Awards on Wednesday evening, with the results announced later that night.