Awards

Odubeko named April 2021's PL2 Player of the Month

17 May 2021

West Ham forward wins award after scoring five goals in two matches to help his side avoid relegation

West Ham United's Ademipo Odubeko has been named the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for April.

The 18-year-old forward had an outstanding month, scoring five goals in two vital victories alongside two other appearances to help West Ham secure safety in Premier League 2 Division 1.

Extra power

Odubeko believes a new finishing technique has played a big part in his success.

"When I was younger I used to side-foot the ball a lot," he says. "I used to have ankle problems, and my ankle wouldn't let me lace the ball a lot.

"It feels good to win this award. The targets that I set helped me get to this award, so I’m thankful for that."

🗣 @mipoodubeko speaks on winning April's #PL2 Player of the Month award...
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 17, 2021

"As I've got older, since I turned 17 or 18, I think my ankle's got stronger so I was like, 'I'm going to start doing what I couldn't do back then,' trying to lace it into the corners.

"Sometimes in a game you may only get one chance, and that's the only chance you get, so you've got to score it.

"That's what it's like as a striker. You've got to be patient. You've got to have a cool head, and luckily most times I do."

Prolific form

Odubeko's first goals in April came when he struck a superb hat-trick as West Ham came from 2-0 down to triumph 3-2 at Manchester United, hitting the winner in stoppage time.

He then hit both of his side's goals as they again came from behind to beat Everton 2-1.

Those contributions proved crucial as the Hammers ultimately avoided relegation by just two points.

The teenager topped a six-man shortlist that also featured Danny Cashman (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Hawkes (Sunderland), Dilan Markanday (Spurs), Cole Palmer (Manchester City) and Crysencio Summerville (Leeds).

He was chosen as the winner by the Premier League Football Development Panel.