Academy youngster Will Smallbone has been nominated for this year’s Premier League 2 Player of the Season award.
The 19-year-old, who was recognised for his impressive form with a two-year contract extension in December, has emerged as a key figure in Radhi Jaïdi’s Under-23s side this term, operating in a variety of midfield roles.
Joining Southampton at the age of eight, Smallbone has spent over a decade with the club, and enjoyed a particularly productive first campaign at Under-23s level, scoring ten goals.
His performances, particularly second half of the season, were instrumental in Saints reaching the Premier League International Cup semi-final, as well as making the Premier League 2 play-off final (which is due to take place within the next week).
Smallbone joins Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Aaron Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Bassala Sambou (Everton), Morgan Feeney (Everton), Rafael Camacho (Liverpool), Elias Sorensen (Newcastle United), Adam Idah (Norwich City) and Danny Loader (Reading) on the nine-man shortlist.
The winner of the award will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 16th May, at the Premier League Youth Development Conference hosted by Fulham.