Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) is proud to announce Socceroos and Hull City defender Lucas Herrington as the recipient of the Harry Kewell Medal.
The award – otherwise known as the Austraffic PFA Young Men’s Footballer of the Year – recognises the most outstanding under-23 Australian men’s footballer throughout the 2025/26 season.
Herrington received the most votes from his peers among six nominees including Socceroos teammates Jordan Bos, Alessandro Circati, Nestory Irankunda, Paul Okon-Engstler and Patrick Beach.
“It means a lot coming from the players. I’m very grateful to win this award. I know it’s a big one in Australia,” Herrington said.
“It’s been pretty crazy [the last year]. There’s been a lot that has happened in the last 12 months but I’ve loved every part of the journey so far.”
The centre-back emerged as one of the country’s most promising young talents, starring in the A-League Men with Brisbane Roar, before signing with Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.
Herrington would go on to star with Colorado in his 20 appearances and was named in the MLS All-Stars.
He earned a maiden Socceroos call-up for the FIFA Series in March where he debuted against Cameroon and would go on to earn a place in Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
The 19-year-old became the Socceroos’ youngest ever starter in the Group Stage match against Paraguay, before playing the full 120 minutes in Australia’s Round of 32 defeat to Egypt on penalties.
His eye-catching club and national team performances led to Herrington signing for Premier League outfit Hull City ahead of the 2026/27 season for an outgoing record fee for Colorado.
After making his debut in the Tigers’ Matchday One victory over Manchester United, Herrington has gone on to make seven appearances for Hull in all competitions, including making his first Premier League start against Newcastle United last weekend.
“Starting off back in Brisbane and then having to move to Colorado was a big challenge for me having to move away from home for the first time and live overseas but that was a great experience, [I] had some great coaches that gave me the opportunity to play there,” Herrington added.
“The proudest moment of my life was to play at the World Cup for the Socceroos. That was an experience I’ll never forget.
“To go from Brisbane in the A-League, to Colorado, to the World Cup and then a transfer to Hull has been an awesome experience and everything that I’ve ever wanted. I’ve loved my time here so far and hopefully many more things to come.”
Herrington joins an illustrious list of players to have previously won award including his World Cup teammates in Connor Metcalfe, Jordan Bos and Mat Ryan, and the first centre-back to receive the award since its inception in 2009.
PFA Harry Kewell Medal Winners
Lucas Herrington (2026), Nicolas Milanovic (2025), Alex Paulsen (2024), Jordan Bos (2023), Denis Genreau (2022), Connor Metcalfe (2021), Liberato Cacace (2020), Chris Ikonomidis (2019), Daniel Arzani (2018), Alex Gersbach (2017), Jamie Maclaren (2016), Mat Ryan (2015, 2014, 2012) Marco Rojas (2013), Robbie Kruse (2011), Mitch Langerak (2010), Nikita Rukavytsya (2009)
About the Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards
The Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards have been awarded annually since 2009, when former Socceroo Tim Cahill won the inaugural PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year. The PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year was introduced the following season, which was won by Servet Uzunlar in 2010.
About Austraffic
Founded in 1983 (as Australasian Traffic Surveys), Austraffic has undertaken thousands of traffic, transport and pedestrian studies in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. Austraffic’s systems and expertise delivers quality data that meets the customer’s needs. Their offices are located throughout Australia, and their traffic engineering and information technology specialists assist customers with the design, analysis and presentation of surveys. For more information visit austraffic.com.au
