O’NIEN ON TARGET FOR AWARD

Sunderland AFC’s Luke O’Nien has been nominated by Foundation of Light for this year’s EFL Player in the Community Award. The Black Cats player was put forward for his commitment to community work, which saw him take part in a number of events by Sunderland AFC and its official charity across the North East in 2019. From visiting school children as part of a government campaign - Building a Stronger Britain - to supporting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Appeal, fan favourite O’Nien gave his time freely to helping the Sunderland community.

I am delighted to be nominated for the EFL Player in the Community Award. I really enjoying going out into the community and meeting fans. I am lucky to have career playing the game I love, but with it comes responsibility to be a positive role model and use my position within the community to make a difference

Luke O'Nien

At the end of last season, Luke was awarded with the PFA Community Champion Award for 2018-19 season. Luke added “I’m in my second season here at the club, and it’s a great place to be. I love playing for Sunderland and it’s an amazing feeling every time I play. I want to do the fans, the city and the community proud and being shortlisted for an award like this is, is an honour” EFL judges will look to recognise the player whose involvement in the community went over and above either in breadth of involvement in community programmes or due to the depth of support for project or activity. The overall winner will be announced in April.