Golden Boy award: Joao Felix named best under-21 player in Europe

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Joao Felix celebrates after scoring against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions LeagueImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Felix scored against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League last month

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has won the Golden Boy award for the best under-21 player in Europe.

The 20-year-old Portugal international scored 18 goals for Benfica last season before a 126m euros (£113m) move to Atletico in the summer.

He has scored two goals in 10 La Liga appearances for Atletico this term.

Borussia Dortmund and England winger Jadon Sancho, 19, finished second with Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Kai Havertz, 20, third.

"I am very proud," said Felix. "It is the second time that a player from Atletico Madrid has won this award and I am happy."

The Golden Boy award was created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003 to recognise the best young player in Europe. Nominees must be under the age of 21 and play in a European nation's top tier.

Wayne Rooney (2004) and Raheem Sterling (2014) are previous English winners of the award.