Derby County man beats out Portsmouth, Peterborough and Bolton stars to claim League One award

Derby County star Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has been named the League One PFA fans’ player of the year.

The winger was already named in the League One team of the season and now has another accolade to add to his collection.

His incredible season filled with electric attacking play helped Derby to promotion.

The Guatemalan international beat out some tough League One competition including Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop and Marlon Pack, Harrison Burrows of Peterborough, Josh Sheehan of Bolton and former Ram Chris Martin who now plays for Bristol Rovers.

Mendez-Laing featured in every single game of Derby’s season scoring nine goals and recording a club record of 16 assists.

He had the most goal involvements in League One beating the likes of Charlton’s Alfie May and Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop.

He has been at Pride Park for two seasons after signing whilst Liam Rosenior was interim manager in the summer of 2022.

Since then, the 32 year-old has made 101 appearances (the most he has had for any club), including 18 goals and 29 assists.

The Rams were so happy with Mendez-Laing’s football that they signed him to a new deal which will keep him in black and white until summer 2026.

It seems that the journeyman attacker has finally found his home at Pride Park and he doesn’t show any indication of slowing down anytime soon.