Joel Asoro has been nominated for the prestigious European Golden Boy award.
The 17-year-old, who made his Premier League debut in August against Middlesbrough, is one of fourteen top-flight youngsters to be nominated for the accolade.
Conducted by Italian publication Tuttosport, the winner is voted by journalists across Europe and is given to the individual who has made the biggest impact over the past year.
A regular in Elliott Dickman’s under-23s side, Asoro scored the all-important goal last month which sent Sunderland into their first European final, defeating Norwich City in the semi-final.
That, however, has come on the back of a few first-team appearances which saw David Moyes utilise the young Swede in the Premier League against their Wear-Tees rivals Boro, as well as in the EFL Cup games against Shrewsbury Town and Queens Park Rangers and in an Emirates FA Cup replay at Burnley.
Asoro faces stern competition for the award, though, with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus and Everton's Tom Davies also in the running.
Previous winners of the accolade include Paul Pogba and five-time Fifa Ballon D'or winner Lionel Messi.
