Shola Shoretire named Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month
Shola Shoretire has emerged as one of the standout revelations in the Eredivisie in recent weeks. After eighteen league appearances for PEC Zwolle, his impressive form has been rewarded with his first monthly honour: Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month for January.
Four goals
Just before the summer transfer deadline, PEC Zwolle strengthened their squad with the arrival of Shola Shoretire. The 22-year-old English attacker came through the Manchester United academy, made several first-team appearances there, and also featured for Bolton Wanderers and PAOK Thessaloniki. This season, he is playing on loan for PEC Zwolle.
Shoretire made an immediate impact, coming off the bench in his first match, and since late October he has been an ever-present in the starting line-up. January proved a particularly clinical month for the forward. He took eight shots in total, five of which were on target - and an impressive four of those found the net.
He was on the scoresheet against FC Twente (1–1), AZ (3–1 win) and Telstar (4–1 win), while he struck twice in the victory over AZ. With four goals, Shoretire finished January as joint top scorer for the month. In doing so, he became only the second PEC Zwolle player in the past five years to score four goals in a single month, following Younes Namli in May 2025 (also four).
Shola Shoretire with the award, presented by ESPN reporter Bennett van Fessem.
First monthly award
For Shola Shoretire, this marks his first selection as Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month. He succeeds Daishawn Redan, who won the award for PEC Zwolle in February 2022.
As part of the prize, Shoretire receives a €2,500 cheque on behalf of the VriendenLoterij for Regio Zwolle United, the social heart of the professional football organisation. In addition, €5,000 is donated to the Johan Cruyff Foundation to support social projects.
About the awards
The Player of the Month and Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month awards are based on Opta statistics, incorporating more than sixty different metrics. These figures also play a role in determining the Player of the Year and Johan Cruijff Talent of the Year in the Eredivisie. The awards are presented at the end of the season during the Eredivisie Awards.
The monthly awards are an initiative of Eredivisie CV, in collaboration with ESPN, VriendenLoterij and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.
