Eric Cantona has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The former Manchester United and Leeds United forward joins Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry in receiving the League's highest individual honour.
Nicknamed "The King", Cantona was a talismanic figure at Old Trafford after his surprise move from Leeds in November 1992, guiding Man Utd to four titles in the first five seasons of the Premier League.
'I'm not surprised'
"I am very happy and very proud, but at the same time I am not surprised," Cantona said in an exclusive interview after being confirmed as an inductee. "I would've been surprised not to be elected!
"I have been lucky to play in this team, with wonderful players, a wonderful manager and wonderful fans."
Cantona is one of six players from a 23-man shortlist who will be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame after receiving the most combined votes from the public and the Premier League Panel.
The other five inductees will be announced this week on the Premier League's digital channels.
Cantona's career in numbers
| Category | Eric Cantona |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 156 |
| Goals | 70 |
| Assists | 56 |
| PL titles | 4 |
| Monthly awards | 1 |
Cantona's career started with a bang, following up his 1991/92 First Division title success with the Premier League's first hat-trick for Leeds against Tottenham Hotspur, before Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford.
He inspired the Man Utd team with many moments of magic, none more so than his sublime chipped goal and iconic celebration against Sunderland in December 1996.
The forward then shocked the football world with his retirement in May 1997 at the age of 30 but his legacy lives on.
Eligibility for Hall of Fame
To be eligible for the Premier League Hall of Fame this year, players had to have been retired as of 1 August 2020, and only a player’s Premier League career was considered in his candidacy.
Each inductee will receive a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction.
Follow @premierleague and #PLHallOfFame on social media for further details and news of the next five inductees.
Also in this series
Part 2: Cantona: The others are great, I am exceptional!
Part 3: Keane voted into the Premier League Hall of Fame
Part 4: Lampard enters the Premier League Hall of Fame
Part 5: Lampard: Brace at Bolton meant everything
Part 6: Bergkamp named Premier League Hall of Fame inductee
Part 7: Bergkamp: Leicester goal went perfectly to plan
Part 8: Gerrard chosen as Premier League Hall of Fame inductee
Part 9: Beckham voted into Premier League Hall of Fame
Part 10: Beckham: Ferguson was my inspiration