Chuba Akpom over the moon as he takes Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season

Nigeria eligible forward, Chuba Akpom has been named 2022/23 Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season for firing Middlesbrough into promotion contention.

The former Arsenal player is the championship’s top marksman with 28 league goals so far this season and his achievement was recognized Sunday evening.

He has already claimed the gong as the first Middlesbrough man to hit 20 league goals since Bernie Slaven in 1989/90.

He also set a new Sky Bet Championship high for successive home strikes when he scored his ninth against Hull City at the Riverside last midweek.

Speaking after he was crowned the best player in the division, Akpom said he was over the moon for the recognition.

“I am super grateful,” Akpom said. “It has been years of hard work to get to this stage, so I am over the moon. It’s been an amazing season but I’ve had a lot of downs, getting injured earlier in the season,’ said the player.

Akpom believes the arrival of former Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick in October 2022 was the turning point for his season.

‘The new manager (Michael Carrick) came in at the perfect time,” Akpom said. “He probably brought out the best in me, put me in the number 10 (position) and I have been enjoying it ever since.’