Socceroos and Hull City defender Lucas Herrington has been named the 2025/26 PFA Young Men’s Footballer of the Year.
One of six nominees for the prestigious Harry Kewell Medal, 19-year-old Herrington received the most votes from his peers to claim the award.
The new Premier League defender saw off competition from Socceroos teammates Jordan Bos, Alessandro Circati, Nestory Irankunda, Paul Okon-Engstler and Patrick Beach.
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“It means a lot coming from the players. I’m very grateful to win this award. I know it’s a big one in Australia,” Herrington said.
“It’s been pretty crazy [the last year]. There’s been a lot that has happened in the last 12 months but I’ve loved every part of the journey so far.”
Herrington emerged as one of Australia’s most promising young talents during the 2025/26 season, starring for Brisbane Roar in the Isuzu UTE A-League before earning a move to Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.
He made 20 appearances for Colorado and was named in the MLS All-Star squad before earning his maiden Socceroos call-up for the FIFA Series in March.
After impressing on his debut Herrington was then selected in Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad where he became the Socceroos’ youngest-ever starter in a World Cup Group Stage match when he lined up against Paraguay, before playing the full 120 minutes of Australia’s Round of 32 defeat to Egypt on penalties.
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His club and international performances led to a move to Premier League outfit Hull City ahead of the 2026/27 season, with the Tigers signing him for a club-record outgoing fee from Colorado Rapids.
Herrington has since made seven appearances for Hull, including his debut in the club’s victory over Manchester United in August and his first Premier League start against Newcastle United last weekend.
“Starting off back in Brisbane and then having to move to Colorado was a big challenge for me having to move away from home for the first time and live overseas but that was a great experience, [I] had some great coaches that gave me the opportunity to play there,” Herrington added.
“The proudest moment of my life was to play at the World Cup for the Socceroos. That was an experience I’ll never forget.
“To go from Brisbane in the A-League, to Colorado, to the World Cup and then a transfer to Hull has been an awesome experience and everything that I’ve ever wanted. I’ve loved my time here so far and hopefully many more things to come.”
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PFA Harry Kewell Medal Winners
Lucas Herrington (2026), Nicolas Milanovic (2025), Alex Paulsen (2024), Jordan Bos (2023), Denis Genreau (2022), Connor Metcalfe (2021), Liberato Cacace (2020), Chris Ikonomidis (2019), Daniel Arzani (2018), Alex Gersbach (2017), Jamie Maclaren (2016), Mat Ryan (2015, 2014, 2012) Marco Rojas (2013), Robbie Kruse (2011), Mitch Langerak (2010), Nikita Rukavytsya (2009)
About the Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards
The Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards have been awarded annually since 2009, when former Socceroo Tim Cahill won the inaugural PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year. The PFAWomen’s Footballer of the Year was introduced the following season, which was won by Servet Uzunlar in 2010.
