Erling Haaland crowned Golden Boy winner as Borussia Dortmund striker is named best under-21 player in Europe

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has been announced as the winner of the 2020 Golden Boy award. 

The Norway international scoops the award after fending off strong competition from Barcelona’s Ansu Fati (second) and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies (third). 

Haaland’s Dortmund team-mate Jadon Sancho came fourth, while Rennes’ impressive young midfielder Eduardo Camavinga finish fifth to round out the top five

It was announced that the Haaland, 20, had won the award on the same day his side travelled to face a struggling Hertha Berlin side.

After netting four times in 32 minutes Haaland took to Twitter after the game on Saturday to share his thoughts: ‘Woke up today to a nice surprise and ending the day with four goals and a nice win!’

The youngster’s man of the match performance inspired his team to victory, with the win sending Dortmund within one point of table topping Bayern in the race for the Bundesliga title.

Haaland burst onto the scene back in 2019 hitting 25 goals in 22 matches for Red Bull Salzburg, attracting the attention of many of Europe’s top clubs. 

After fighting off strong competition from the likes of Juventus and Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund signed the then 19-year-old striker in January 2020 from Salzburg after meeting his £17.1million buyout clause.

The teenage sensation made his debut for Dortmund against Augsburg on January 18, 2020 – coming off the bench in the 56th minute of the game.

He made an immediate impact scoring a 23-minute hat-trick in a 5-3 win, making him only the second player in Dortmund history to score three goals on their Bundesliga debut – since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in 2013. 

Since joining Lucien Favre’s side in early 2020, the youngster has scored 23 goals and provided four assists in 22 Bundesliga matches alongside six goals in five UEFA Champions League appearances. 

Approaching the Bundesliga winter break in just over a month’s time, Haaland currently has 10 Bundesliga goals this season – just one less than Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski 11 for Bayern.

There is no doubt that this year’s Golden Boy winner will look to continue his impressive form as he looks to follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as Lionel Messi, Raheem Sterling and Kylian Mbappe.

By Fraser Day