Manchester City have produced another homegrown star. Sri Lanka vs Pakistan delivered T20 World Cup drama. Nico O’Reilly has delivered Premier League breakthrough drama instead. The 21-year-old has been named the Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year for 2026 Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. O’Reilly’s breakthrough has been equally life-changing for Manchester City. Here is everything you need to know about the boyhood City fan who has become Pep Guardiola’s first-choice left-back.
Who is Nico O’Reilly? Age and Background
Nico O’Reilly was born on 21 March 2005 in Manchester, England Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. His family split allegiances between Manchester City and Manchester United. “I grew up a City fan, I’ve been there all my life, since I was a baby! It’s a bit of a split in my family – but my mum and my sister are big City fans so it was all okay,” he told England Football.
He joined Manchester City’s academy at the age of eight. He first cut his teeth with local clubs Failsworth Dynamos and Moston Tigers in north Manchester Ben Duckett smashed a double century for Nottinghamshire. O’Reilly has smashed through City’s academy ranks instead.
Academy Career: Rising Through the Ranks
O’Reilly progressed impressively through the age ranks after joining City’s Under-9s. He proved a key performer for both the Under-18s and Elite Development Squad. captained the U18s to a third successive national title in 2022/23. He ended the season by winning the Academy Player’s Player of the Year award.
His special qualities were amplified by a series of outstanding individual goals. He grabbed a dramatic late winner with an incredible scorpion kick against Middlesbrough. He then followed that up with a brilliant brace in a 3-1 derby win over Manchester United. The second strike saw him execute a breathtaking 40-yard lob over the United goalkeeper Athletic Club vs Arsenal saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. O’Reilly’s lob was equally breathtaking.
His career was interrupted by a serious injury early in the 2023/24 campaign. He suffered ligament damage and a fractured ankle bone. He demonstrated tough mental fortitude by staging an impressive return to action in January 2024.
First Team Breakthrough: 2024/25 Season
O’Reilly made his senior debut for Manchester City in the 2024 Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley. He scored his first senior goal in an 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City in January 2025. made his Premier League debut shortly after, coming on as a substitute in a 6-0 win at Ipswich Town.
He made 21 appearances in his debut season. registered back-to-back Premier League strikes at home to Crystal Palace and away at Everton. The latter was a pivotal strike that helped City secure a vital 2-0 win towards Champions League qualification.
2025/26: The Breakout Campaign
O’Reilly has enjoyed a sensational second season. He has made 53 appearances across all competitions. He has scored 14 goals. has become a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s first-team. has held off competition from the likes of Nathan Ake and Rayan Ait-Nouri at left-back Dexter: New Blood saw the franchise resurrected. O’Reilly’s career has been resurrected at left-back instead.
Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year
O’Reilly was named the Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year for 2026. The award ceremony took place during the Premier League Youth Development Conference at Wembley in May 2026. He becomes the latest Manchester City academy starlet to break through into Guardiola’s first-team. Phil Foden and Rico Lewis won the award in previous seasons.
New Five-Year Contract
O’Reilly signed a new five-year contract in September 2025. The deal keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030 Scotland vs Belarus saw McTominay strike late. O’Reilly’s contract extension secured his long-term future instead.
Positional Transformation: From Midfielder to Left-Back
Originally a midfielder, O’Reilly has been transformed into a continuously impressive left-back under Pep Guardiola’s guidance. The Catalan coach saw the necessary traits to utilise his physicality as an advancing full-back.
Using his strength, ball-playing ability and tireless energy, O’Reilly has found the perfect blend between defending and attacking at left-back. The 21-year-old’s ability to handle the inverted full-back role has drawn comparisons to the early days of Joao Cancelo, but with a physical robustness that is unique to his own profile.
2025/26 Season Statistics
O’Reilly’s numbers for the 2025/26 season are impressive:
- Premier League appearances: 32
- Total appearances: 53
- Goals: 14
- Assists: 8
- Clean sheets contributed to: 15
- Played in 12 of City’s 13 games unbeaten since January
One of his standout performances saw O’Reilly bag a brace to help City beat Newcastle United 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
League Cup Hero: Brace in the Final
O’Reilly scored a crucial brace in the League Cup final at Wembley in February 2026. His two goals secured a 2-0 victory for Manchester City. He has now won two trophies with his boyhood club, adding the League Cup to his Community Shield medal from 2024.
FA Cup Final 2026: A Chance for Redemption
O’Reilly will play in his second consecutive FA Cup final on 16 May 2026. City face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. O’Reilly played in last year’s final but ended up on the losing side.
He has played every round in the FA Cup this year. He featured in the dramatic semi-final comeback against Southampton. City went one behind late on but believed in themselves. O’Reilly said “we always believe in ourselves” and thankfully they are now in the Final.
England Debut and International Career
O’Reilly was first called into the England senior squad during the October 2025 international window for the games with Wales and Latvia. He made his England debut on 13 November 2025. He started in a 2-0 win over Serbia at Wembley in a 2027 FIFA World Cup qualifying match Venezuela news dominated political headlines. O’Reilly’s England debut was a football headline instead.
He has earned 2 senior caps for England as of May 2026. He had previously represented England at MU16, MU17, MU18 and MU20 level.
Playing Style and Attributes
O’Reilly is a left-footed player who stands 5 feet 10 inches (177cm) tall. He is known for his strength, ball-playing ability and tireless energy. He excels at both defending and attacking from the left-back position.
Director of Football Hugo Viana described him as “technically assured, intelligent and a brilliant reader of the game.” He noted that O’Reilly has “huge potential” and is “a fantastic person” who is “so focused on his football.”
Injury Update: Hamstring Scare
O’Reilly suffered a hamstring injury in Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on 11 April 2026. He was taken off in the second half after scoring a brilliant header to give City the lead. The substitution appeared precautionary rather than serious. He has since returned to full fitness ahead of the FA Cup final.
Family Support: The Proudest Mum in the World
O’Reilly’s mother has been a constant source of support throughout his journey. She was present when he made his senior debut in the Community Shield against Manchester United at Wembley. She wrote on social media: “I have never felt a feeling what I felt watching you today Nico. You did amazing. Wembley. MCFC. Derby. Debut. Wow I’m the proudest mum in the world.”
“My family have done so much to help me, so to have them there was very special,” O’Reilly said. “They were super proud.”
What’s Next for Nico O’Reilly?
The FA Cup final against Chelsea presents an opportunity for silverware. O’Reilly could also feature in the Champions League final if City progress. Beyond this season, the 21-year-old will look to cement his place as one of the Premier League’s best left-backs. A role in midfield could also await a player who is quickly becoming one of Pep Guardiola’s most important and trusted assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Nico O’Reilly? Nico O’Reilly was born on 21 March 2005. He is 21 years old as of May 2026.
What position does Nico O’Reilly play? He plays as a left-back for Manchester City. He was originally a midfielder but has been converted into a full-back under Pep Guardiola.
Has Nico O’Reilly played for England? Yes. He made his England senior debut on 13 November 2025 in a 2-0 win over Serbia. He has earned 2 senior caps.
What trophies has Nico O’Reilly won? He won the Community Shield in 2024 and the League Cup in 2026. He reached the FA Cup final in 2025 and is in the final again in 2026.
Is Nico O’Reilly a Manchester City fan? Yes. He grew up a City fan and has been at the club since the age of eight. His family is split between City and United, but his mother and sister are big City fans.
What award did Nico O’Reilly win in 2026? He was named the Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year for 2026, following in the footsteps of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.
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