By Ayomide Otitoju
Eberechi Eze, the Arsenal forward of Nigerian descent, has been named the PFA Community Champion at the London Football Awards, recognising his charitable work off the pitch. The 27-year-old collected the accolade on Thursday at the Exhibition White City in West London, joining fellow Arsenal stars celebrated during the event.
Eze beat competition from Jimmy Dunne of Queens Park Rangers and Championship side Millwall to claim the award, which honours his initiatives through the Eze Foundation for the recognition.
Reflecting on his upbringing, the former Crystal Palace player said he aims to emulate those who inspired him as a child. “Seeing how they operated, how they did things, and how they gave back… That’s what I’m trying to emulate; that’s the type of person and family we want to be,” he said.
Arsenal signed Eze in the summer for £60 million ($81 million) plus £7.5 million in add-ons, as the club seeks to end a 22-year wait for a Premier League title. Since joining the Gunners, Eze has scored six Premier League goals, including five against Tottenham Hotspur.
Eze said his move to Arsenal has helped improve his game. “Being involved in a team like this is a jump from Crystal Palace… The systems and patterns in place are so deep. It’s cool for me to get involved, learn, and adapt my game,” he said, crediting manager Mikel Arteta for helping him grow on the pitch.
The Eze Foundation, founded in 2023, is focused on bridging the gap between education and employment, helping young people build skills, explore potential, and gain real-world experience. To date, the charity has delivered over 200 programmes aimed at empowering youth to step confidently into their careers.
