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Luke Turner has been named the Danske Bank Premiership’s Young Player of the Year.

The 19-year-old central defender made 45 appearances for Cliftonville on loan from Aberdeen and found the net in January’s Irish Cup defeat of Islandmagee and the following month’s Premiership victory over Warrenpoint Town, helping the Reds to League Cup glory before securing automatic European qualification by securing second place in the table.

“It’s an honour to be named Young Player of the Year,” he said. “Thanks to everyone that voted for me.

“I’d also like to Paddy McLaughlin and Declan O’Hara for all their guidance this year. I’d particularly like to thank the Cliftonville support, because without them none of this would be possible.

“This season, we just missed out on the League title, but we won the  League Cup, so I think it’s fair to say we had a brilliant season. It was a great thing to be a part of.”

Collecting the award – which was voted for by members of the NI Football Writers’ Association and Premiership Managers – on Turner’s behalf, assistant boss O’Hara said: “Luke is a fantastic young footballer, it’s been a privilege to work with him.”