Leeds teenager Lewis Cook named Apprentice of the Year

Leeds teenager Lewis Cook has been named the Sky Bet Championship's League Football Education Apprentice of the Year.

Cook, who has made 38 appearances this season after making his first-team breakthrough in August, received the accolade at the Football League Awards gala at The Brewery in London on Sunday evening.

The 18-year-old said: "The season has been great for me personally, especially playing the amount of games I've played.

"Hopefully I can keep playing and get some more goals next season. I just want to progress.

"I want to thank my family, Neil Redfearn and everyone at the club for helping me.

"Obviously there's loads of young players playing in the first team and there's loads more to come I think.

"Everyone's got a real desire in training to try and get there because they know there's a pathway at Leeds and I think it's all down to Neil Redfearn believing in them.

"Because he's been coaching for ages he knows our strengths and what we're not as good at.

"He's got that faith in us all and will put us in there and give us a chance, which you need."

Cook, reflecting on his own meteoric rise after receiving his award at The Brewery in London, added: "Obviously personally it's been great for me. I never thought I'd play this many games, 38 I think it is.

"Last season, if I'd played a couple of games this season I'd have been happy with it.

"Everyone around me has been very supportive and I think all the hard work is starting to pay off and I'm happy with this reward.

"I didn't think I'd be this young, that I'd be playing at all, so it's kind of fast-track but I've really enjoyed it and glad it's happening."

Cook, integral to England Under-19s' European Championship triumph last season, beat off competition from Charlton's Joe Gomez and Millwall's Fred Onyedinma to claim the award.

The midfielder made his first senior appearance for Leeds as a second-half substitute at Milwall in August and his first start in the Capital One Cup win against Accrington three days later.

Cook's full league debut followed at the end of that month in the home win against Bolton and he has since become a key member of head coach Neil Redfearn's side.

LFE award judges take into account the record of the player in all competitions since becoming an apprentice, plus educational attainment, disciplinary record and other outstanding achievements.