Manchester City loanee Gavin Bazunu scooped the top prize as he was voted Portsmouth’s player of the season.
The 20-year-old took home both the Players’ Player of the Season award and the fans’ Player of the Season prize to cap off a fine season on the south coast. The City goalkeeper ended the season with 16 clean sheets, just narrowly falling short of the golden glove in League One.
Bazunu has won regular praise for his performances at Portsmouth as he’s impressed with his displays in the third tier. Having joined on a season-long loan last summer, the Republic of Ireland international made 46 appearances across all competitions.
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And he clearly made a big impression on his team-mates, with the keeper receiving the most votes as he took home the Players’ Player of the Season prize during Pompey’s end-of-season awards dinner. Bazunu also took the fans’ version of the prize, underlining his fine performances.
Bazunu is set to return to City this summer, where a decision will be made on whether he heads out on loan again next season. The youngster is under contract at the Etihad until 2024 as he looks to challenge for the number one slot.
“I want to play football at the highest level, but don’t look too far ahead,” Bazunu told Portsmouth’s website. “I’ll just take it one day at a time and see where it takes me.
“I have a massive respect for this squad and how they’ve welcomed me. It’s a great group of lads to play with.”
Bazunu’s accolades come after Pompey boss Danny Cowley tipped the 20-year-old to play in the Premier League next season. Although his side ended the season with a 4-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Cowley was once again full of praise for the keeper.
“Gavin [Bazunu] is ready to play in the Premier League, I am convinced of that. It is not something I would say lightly or make a throwaway comment, but I have never been more sure of anything in my life. He will be world-class," Cowley told Hampshire Live.
“It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work with him in this time and I will miss him every single minute of every single day next season. But like I tell my children, be glad that it has happened, don't be sad that it is over. He is a great kid and I will really enjoy watching his football journey.”
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