Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has been named the English Premier League Player of the Month for December.
This is the first time Isak will claim the prize.
The Sweden striker, 25, was announced the winner in a statement by the Premier League on Friday.
Isak topped an eight-man shortlist, which included Liverpool’s in-form forward Mohamed Salah, after the public’s votes on the EA SPORTS website were combined with those of a panel of football experts.
The former Real Sociedad star won the award after an incredible month for Newcastle United, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in six Premier League appearances.
He was the Premier League’s top scorer in December, finding the net in all six of his appearances as Newcastle won four matches, drew one and lost only once to join the race for a top-four finish.
Isak’s goals included a hat-trick against Ipswich Town, while he also scored against Liverpool, Brentford, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Manchester United. His goal in the 3-3 draw with leaders Liverpool is on the shortlist for December’s Goal of the Month award.
Isak is only the fourth Swedish player to win the award since it was introduced in 1994/1995. The others are Freddie Ljungberg for Arsenal in April 2002, Johan Elmander for Bolton Wanderers in November 2010, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Manchester United in December 2016.
Also he is the first Newcastle player to claim the prize since October 2022, when Miguel Almiron won it.
