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Nico O’Reilly outlines ambitions after claiming PFA Young Player of the Year award
Nico O'Reilly (centre) with his PFA Young Player of the Year award during the PFA Awards 2026 at Manchester Opera House, August 25, 2026

NICO O’REILLY is targeting “bigger and better things” after capping his outstanding breakthrough season with the PFA Young Player of the Year prize.

The 21-year-old was named winner of the award on Tuesday in recognition of an impressive 2025-26 campaign in which he helped City to a domestic cup double and England to third place at the World Cup.

Asked what he hoped to achieve next, O’Reilly said: “Hopefully bigger and better things.

“I want to go to the next step in my game, I want to go to the next level.

“That’s all I’m trying to do, work every day to try and improve and get better. That’s my goal, that’s my aim.”

O’Reilly came through City’s youth ranks as an attacking midfielder but his first opportunities to establish himself in the senior side came at left-back.

Having emerged under Pep Guardiola, O’Reilly is now preparing for a new chapter at City under Enzo Maresca.

O’Reilly said: “Obviously Pep was at the club for 10 years. He did such a good job and he was an amazing manager. It was so good to learn stuff from him.

“Enzo’s come in and he’s been very positive since he came in. The sessions have been very intense. He’s very demanding, very passionate and he’s a very, very good manager.”

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