Kaoru Mitoma has made history by winning August 2023's Budweiser Goal of the Month award for his stunning solo effort against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Mitoma is the first Japanese player to win a Premier League monthly award, and the first Brighton & Hove Albion player to win one since Alireza Jahanbakhsh claimed the same prize all the way back in January 2020.
The 26-year-old midfielder gained possession on the touchline 10 yards into Wolves's half and dribbled past three challenges before slotting beyond Jose Sa.
'I want to produce more goals like these'
"It's not often I get this sort of award, so I feel honoured, and I'm grateful to my team-mates," Mitoma said.
"This goal was the culmination of all the things I've been practising. After I got past the first defender, there was this massive open space. Heading towards the goal, I was picking up a bit more speed. It made it easier to get past the defenders. I think this goal is probably the best one I’ve scored.
"When I retire I think this goal will always come to mind. It's not something that happens often. So I want to keep producing these kinds of moments in the future."
Magic from Mitoma 🪄@OfficialBHAFC's Kaoru Mitoma is crowned your Budweiser Goal of the Month winner for August 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/y3izhRNB5V
— Budweiser Football (@budfootball) September 15, 2023
Mitoma's goal was chosen as the winner by a panel of experts combined with a public vote, beating seven other contenders.
Also in this series
Part 1: Maddison joy in joining 'elite' club with EA SPORTS Player award
Part 2: Postecoglou ends wait for Australia with Barclays Manager award
Part 4: Alisson ranks Castrol Save of the Month winner among his best
