Mohammed Kudus’ stunning solo strike against SC Freiburg has been crowned the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season following a fan poll.
The West Ham United forward came top of a supporters’ vote after a ten-goal shortlist selected by UEFA's Technical Observer was put to the public.
Kudus’ goal against SC Freiburg - in the round of 16 second leg - saw him pick the ball up in his own half, before skipping through the German side’s defence and neatly finishing as part of the Irons’ memorable 5-0 win at London Stadium.
Having already earned our No14 the West Ham Goal of the Season gong, the strike was also named the third-best Europa League goal by the UEFA Technical Observer panel.
“I think it’s one of my top five goals,” said Kudus, after helping book West Ham’s place in a third successive European quarter-final.
“It’s one of the dreams as a player, taking players on and trying to create something out of nothing, so when I got the space, I thought let’s go for it!
“As an attacking player, you want to score goals and keep helping the team in front of goal. I could see the fans watching as well, so I had to make sure I gave them a special goal.”
Indeed, it was an impressive first season in Europe with West Ham for Kudus.
Fresh from signing from Ajax last summer, Kudus scored five goals across his nine matches in the Europa League and had a passing accuracy of just under 90 per cent too.
His form continued throughout the domestic campaign, as well. In the Premier League, he finished the season with a sensational bicycle kick against champions Manchester City on the final day.
His total Club goal contributions now stand at 20 in 45 matches by the end of 2023/24, although Kudus is just getting started. The strike against Freiburg was just the beginning.
“It has been a long season with ups and downs, but there have been lots of lessons,” he stated.
“It’s my first season, but the staff, the coaches and the other players, everyone around the Club, has helped me to settle in well. Big credit to myself as well for believing in myself and putting in the effort day in and day out. It can only get better.
“I’m still far off on how I see myself performing in this league, but it’s good to get the first season under my belt. I have a long way to go and there’s more stuff to come.”
