Nigerian-descent forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji is vying for his second Premier League 2 (PL2) Player of the Month award of the 2023-24 season, following an impressive October performance.
The 21-year-old has been shortlisted for the October honour alongside fellow Nigeria-eligible winger Hazeem Bakre, as well as Chelsea’s Kiano Dyer and Sunderland’s Harrison Jones.
Butler-Oyedeji showcased his playmaking prowess in Arsenal’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Blackburn Rovers, assisting three goals in that single fixture.
This standout performance was his only PL2 appearance for the month, as he balanced his time with the Arsenal first team. His October nomination follows a stellar August, where he netted four goals and recorded three assists over three matches to clinch his first PL2 Player of the Month title this season.
Joining him on the list is Bakre, a promising 19-year-old forward with Middlesbrough, who earned his spot with a spectacular hat-trick in Boro’s own 4-3 win over Aston Villa. Bakre has been in top form for Middlesbrough’s development side, starting nearly every game and amassing five goals in the PL2 season.
Other nominees include Sunderland’s goalkeeper Daniel Cameron, who posted two clean sheets in October, and Chelsea’s Dyer, who contributed two assists.
Harrison Jones, also of Sunderland, delivered three assists, while Manchester City’s Emilio Lawrence scored once and provided two assists, and Brighton’s Caylan Vickers scored three goals and assisted twice.
Rounding out the nominees is Reading’s Jeremiah Okine-Peters, who impressed with four goals.
The competition for PL2 Player of the Month remains fierce, as all nominees made significant contributions to their respective teams in October.
Butler-Oyedeji’s nomination marks another achievement in his burgeoning career and highlights the rising impact of Nigerian-descent talents in English football.
