Antoine Semenyo has become the first Bristol City player to be named Championship Player of the Month for four-and-a-half years.
Semenyo beat fellow nominees - Daniel Grimshaw (Blackpool), Chris Willock (QPR) and Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) - to earn the accolade and follow in the footsteps of Aden Flint who was the last, and only, Robin to do so in September 2017 and February 2016 prior to that.
In his five league appearances for City across January, Semenyo scored three goals - including a brilliant brace at Craven Cottage against Fulham - and added a further three assists as he continues to develop at an impressive rate having been moved into a central striker's role by Nigel Pearson.
"Antoine has made great progress and a real contribution to the collective effort. Everyone at the club is proud of him for winning this award," Pearson said.
"He is a real threat with his power and pace – he must be a nightmare to play against! His challenge now is to keep developing and adding elements to his game to make him even more effective.”
It's been a remarkable 10-week spell for the former SGS College student as Semenyo's season only really properly started when he returned from persistent knee trouble at the start of December.
Since Pearson selected him to play through the middle against Derby County, he's increasingly grown in confidence and effectiveness, helping transforming the Robins attack.
Semenyo's goals have led to international recognition with the 22-year-old declaring for Ghana, who he qualifies to play for through his mother, and is set to be called up to the Black Stars squad for their World Cup qualifying play-off against Nigeria next month.
On deadline day, City rejected a transfer bid from Nottingham Forest for the forward with the club, having carefully nurtured him through the academy and through a series of loan spells, valuing him towards the £20m mark.
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “A firecracker of a player with youth very much on his side, Antoine Semenyo has a massive future ahead of him and performances along the lines of what he produced in January will have everyone taking notice of his obvious abilities. Contributing goals and assists, he’s a constant spark for his Bristol City side."
Semenyo marked the announcement of his nomination on Wednesday with his fifth of the season against Reading at Ashton Gate, also the first time he had scored in front of fans at BS3.
"It was a great honour to be nominated in the first place and to win the award is very special," Semenyo said.
“Our performances have improved since the New Year and credit to all the players and staff – we are definitely heading in the right direction. I’ve just got to keep working hard for the team and doing my job."
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