Romelu Lukaku proud of his Young Player chance
West Brom striker Romelu Lukaku today admitted being named as a young Player of the Year contender is a dream come true.
The on-loan Belgium international is on the six-man shortlist for the PFA award after being nominated as a contender by his fellow players.
And the 19-year-old said: "To be there in the list is a dream come true. I never expected it this early in my career.
"Everything that happens seems to happen so fast – and I'm getting used to it. Because I'm young I have to get used to breaking records all the time.
"I started at a young age so I have a bigger chance to break records."
Lukaku is up against Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard – who have also been nominated for the main Player of the Season title.
That's as well as Villa striker Christian Benteke, Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck.
And the teenager, who is on loan at the Hawthorns from Chelsea, added: "I'm very happy. For me, it means I'm having a good season.
"It's great news. It's recognition for the work I've put in but also recognition for my team-mates who have helped me to do it.
"It's always nice when you have a team-mate of yours on the shortlist because it means the team itself is doing its best.
"Without your team-mates you are nothing so I have to thank my team-mates and the coaching staff who have helped me improve a lot week in, week out."
"I'm very happy and my parents and brother are very proud.
"Hopefully I can win it but if it's not year, hopefully I can in years to come.
"It would be nice to have an individual prize but football is a team sport and as long as you play well for your team the prizes will look after themselves."
Lukaku is also in the running for Albion's player-of-the-year award, which will be presented at Sunday's end-of-season dinner.
Defender Gareth McAuley and midfielder Claudio Yacob are also expected leading contenders for both the fans' and players' awards, along with Ben Foster, who won last season.