West Ham midfielder Declan Rice has been crowned Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards in Battersea.
The 20-year-old has earned rave reviews during a breakout campaign, and scored his first Hammers goal in the win over Arsenal last month.
His progress has been rewarded with a new contract which runs until 2024, while he has also been tipped for an England call-up, having confirmed his intention to switch allegiance from the Republic of Ireland, who he has represented in friendlies.
Rice beat off competition from Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arsenal’s French summer signing Matteo Guendouzi.
QPR winger Eberechi Eze and Charlton’s Karlan Grant completed the shortlist for the award, which was open to players under the age of 23.
The awards, which celebrate the best of London football in the 2018/19 season, are voted for by a panel of 22 experts from across the football industry, including ex-players such as Bobby Zamora, Bob Wilson and Tony Cottee.
