Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel are to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame was established in 2021 as a way for the Premier League to recognise and celebrate the 'exceptional skill and talent of individuals who have graced the Premier League since its inception.' It's now the highest individual accolade that the league awards to players.
Eight former players are welcomed into the Hall of Fame every year and six more inductees have now been confirmed after it had already been announced that Rooney and Patrick Vieira were to be honoured. Joining Manchester United's record goalscorer and the Arsenal hero are iconic goalkeeper Schmeichel and revered midfielder Scholes.
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As well as United's representatives, there are two players from Manchester City in Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, another for Arsenal with Ian Wright while Didier Droga represents Chelsea. The players were selected by the public, through an online vote, and the Premier League Awards Panel.
On his induction, Schmeichel said: “I’m very honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I understood straight away that your career is only for a very short period of time. You have to make the best of that opportunity and make sure you’re someone who is remembered because you did something.
“When I was a kid in Denmark I used to fall asleep to this dream of playing for Manchester United. The team I was part of was so good that winning the Premier League once was special, but we felt we had to retain it to prove ourselves and it was a dream come true for me to win five titles.”
Scholes said: “It’s a special feeling to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame along with so many fantastic players who have already been voted in and with the players who are being named today.
“I played for the best manager for 20 years at Manchester United; the biggest club in the world with the greatest fans. I feel lucky and privileged I was part of a team that won so many trophies and to have won the Premier League 11 times.”
The inductees will be formally honoured at an event in London on Thursday night. All will receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction as well as a £10,000 donation to a charity of their choice from the Premier League.
The eight players will be joining Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Dennis Bergkamp, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer in the Hall of Fame.
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