Sunderland crown 2025/26 season award winners as Granit Xhaka takes top prize

The 2025/26 season has been one to remember for Sunderland and the club’s fanbase upon their return to the Premier League. 

After ending last season with a 2-1 comeback win against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, many outside doubters backed the Black Cats for an instant relegation.

However, Regis Le Bris and his side have enjoyed an outstanding campaign, sitting tenth in the top flight with European qualification on the line in the final-day clash against Chelsea. 

Everyone at Sunderland has played their part this season, but there were several players who scooped top prizes at the end of season awards ceremony.

Unsurprisingly, captain Granit Xhaka was adorned with Sunderland's Player of the Season award for his transformative contribution this season. 

Eyebrows were raised across the footballing world when the former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder joined newly-promoted Sunderland in the summer, but the Black Cats’ Player of the Season has silenced the naysayers with his captain’s impact on and off the field.

Goalkeeper Robin Roefs was crowned Sunderland’s Young Player of the Season following the 23-year-old shot-stopper’s stellar debut campaign between the sticks. 

With ten clean sheets in 34 Premier League appearances to his name, the Dutchman wanted by Bayern Munich has established himself as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in the Premier League, seeing the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur interested in him.

In addition, central defender Dan Ballard, who remains suspended until the start of next season following his red card against Wolves earlier this month, was also given an award as Sunderland’s Community Player of the Season. 

The classy Ballard epitomises everything that Sunderland strives to be both on and off the pitch, and was rightly given plaudits. 

Into the campaign’s standout moments, Sunderland’s Goal of the Season was awarded to Chris Rigg for his stunning long-range strike against Aston Villa.

After a deft touch from Noah Sadiki, Rigg struck a beautiful shot that even Emi Martinez had no chance of stopping, seeing the teenage starlet open his Premier League goal account. 

Finally, mammoth centre-forward Brian Brobbey was awarded the Best Moment of the Season prize for his winning goal in the Tyne-Wear derby comeback win. 

Following Chemsdine Talbi’s equaliser, Sunderland pressed for the winner over Newcastle United, and it came courtesy of some outstanding play by Enzo Le Fee in the Magpies’ box. 

The Frenchman’s square ball nutmegged both Lewis Hall and the dazzled Dan Burn before Brobbey fired home at the second attempt to send the travelling Sunderland supporters into raptures. 

Certainly, the 2025/26 Premier League campaign has been one Sunderland supporters will never forget, given the magic moments, double derby win and stunning goals. 

However, the ending to the story of Sunderland’s top flight return season is yet to be written, and the fairytale finish could come on Sunday. 

If the Black Cats beat Chelsea, at the same time as other results go their way, Le Bris’ side will qualify for Europe next term, and what a fitting conclusion that feat would be.