Bangladesh's Farhaan Ali Wahid wins Fulham’s Johnny Haynes Trophy

Farhaan Ali Wahid, the 19-year-old winger who made his Bangladesh debut only last month, has been named winner of Fulham’s Johnny Haynes Trophy, the academy’s Young Player of the Year award, after a combined vote of players and coaching staff.

Earlier this week he visited the training ground at Motspur Park to collect the trophy from the Fulham Supporters’ Trust.

Speaking on the club website, Farhaan credited his teammates for the honour.

“It’s amazing to be voted for this award by my teammates, a very rewarding feeling,” he said.

He was quick to share the credit with the group around him.

“I couldn’t have done it without my peers. They’re the ones who drive the standards, push me and give me the competition, which has helped me become a better player,” he said.

The trophy honours Johnny Haynes, regarded as Fulham’s greatest player, and has gone to the academy’s best young player since 2019, after Fulham Supporters’ Trust member Peter Greenham proposed it. Farhaan said, “Looking back at the names who have won this trophy, it’s special.”

Born in England on December 9, 2006, Farhaan grew up in London to parents of Bangladeshi descent with roots in Sylhet, although both were born in the United Kingdom. He began his football education at Chelsea’s academy before joining Fulham in 2019.

Last season was his first as a professional. He contributed to 17 goals in 21 matches in the under-21 Premier League 2 as Fulham finished fourth, was named the league’s Player of the Month in November, and earned a Player of the Season nomination.

In August he joined Boreham Wood on loan, and has played four matches for the fifth-tier club.

Farhaan made his Bangladesh debut against Malaysia at the FIFA ASEAN Cup last month, then scored his first international goal in the 9-2 defeat to Indonesia, in front of almost 50,000 spectators.