The Premier League has become one of the most watched and commercially successful football competitions in the world since its creation in 1992, but the competition’s origins can be traced to a major shake-up in English football that saw the top-flight clubs break away from the Football League.

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

On February 20, 1992, the 22 clubs in the old First Division resigned from the Football League to establish the FA Premier League, with the new competition beginning on August 15, 1992.

The move ushered in a new era for English football, with clubs seeking greater control over broadcasting and commercial revenues.

The inaugural 1992/93 season featured 22 clubs, and Sheffield United forward Brian Deane scored the first-ever Premier League goal in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.

📌 Key Details

While the league began in 1992, the official Premier League Player of the Season award was introduced two years later.

Blackburn Rovers striker Alan Shearer became the first recipient at the end of the 1994/95 season after helping his side win the Premier League title.

Since then, some of the biggest names in English football have claimed the individual prize, including Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.

The award has also reflected the changing eras of the competition, from dominant Manchester United and Arsenal sides in the early years to the emergence of Manchester City and the return of Liverpool as a major force.

PUNCH Online reports that these winners were curated from the EPL and FA websites.

Here is the complete list of Premier League Player of the Season winners:

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria