NEW LIVERPOOL SIGNING Dominic Solanke has joined Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Paul Pogba on the list of U20 World Cup Golden Ball winners.
The 19-year-old forward helped the Young Lions to claim an historic title in South Korea, with a first Fifa-recognised trophy collected since 1966 courtesy of a 1-0 win over Venezuela following a goal from Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Solanke netted four goals for Paul Simpson’s side in the tournament, including the match winner in a quarter-final clash with Mexico and a brace in a semi-final victory over Italy.
His exploits have now been recognised with the awarding of the player-of-the-tournament prize, which has previously been collected by star names now turning out for Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Other past winners of the award include Diego Maradona and Robert Prosinecki, with Solanke clearly in good company.
Having tasted international success this summer, the teenager can now head home in positive mood as he prepares to bid farewell to Chelsea and open a new chapter in his career at Anfield.
Another of the England heroes who will be hoping to grace a Premier League stage next season is Freddie Woodman, with the Newcastle goalkeeper making a key contribution for his country.
His penalty save in the final saw the Young Lions over the line and helped him to the Golden Glove award.
Elsewhere, Italy enjoyed their best-ever finish at a U20 World Cup as they prevailed in a penalty shoot-out with Uruguay to claim third place.
Their star man was Juventus forward Riccardo Osolini, who netted five times across the competition to pick up the Golden Boot.
