The last 10 winners of the EFL's Young Player of the Year award

Not every player employed by the top Premier League clubs has been signed for an astronomical transfer fee.

Sure, most of them have, but you still get the odd player who emerges from their club’s academy system.

There are also players who serve their apprenticeships with clubs lower down English football’s league pyramid before working their way to the top.

The number of players rising up from the Championship, League One and League Two does seem to be diminishing but it still happens from time to time.

Dele Alli is the most obvious recent example. The midfielder was bossing it in League One with MK Dons until 2015 and deservedly won the Football League Young Player of the Year award that year.

But what has happened to the other winners of that coveted individual accolade since 2008?

Let’s take a look…

2008 - Michael Kightly | Wolves

Michael Kightly ripped it in the Championship for several seasons before helping Wolves secure promotion to the Premier League in 2009.

He was never as effective at Premier League level but went on to play for Stoke City and Burnley in England’s top flight.

The 32-year-old winger now plays for Southend United in League One.

2009 - Fabian Delph | Leeds United

Fabian Delph won the award back in 2009 while playing for Leeds United in League One.

He’s gone on to enjoy a fine career in the Premier League, spending six seasons with Aston Villa before joining Manchester City in a deal worth £8 million in 2015.

Delph should land his hands on a Premier League winners’ medal later this season.

2010 - Nathaniel Clyne | Crystal Palace

Big things were expected of Nathaniel Clyne during his time with Crystal Palace and his career hasn’t disappointed.

The right-back went on to sign for Southampton in 2012 and then joined Liverpool three years later.

The 26-year-old has been capped 14 times by England.

2011 - Connor Wickham | Ipswich Town

There was so much hype about this lad when he burst onto the scene with Ipswich Town as a teenager.

Labelled ‘the new Alan Shearer’ early in his career, Wickham got his big opportunity at Premier League level when Sunderland signed him in 2011.

Sadly, though, Wickham netted just 11 top-flight goals in 79 appearances for the Black Cats.

He’s still playing Premier League football with Crystal Palace but it’s now safe to say that he won’t be following in Shearer’s footsteps.

2012 - Wilfried Zaha | Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha won the Football League Young Player of the Year award in the spring of 2012 and then made his international debut for England months later, while still playing for Crystal Palace in the Championship.

He then sealed a huge move to Manchester United but was never given a fair crack of the whip at Old Trafford by David Moyes and returned to Selhurst Park 18 months later.

Zaha has rebuilt his career with Palace and it wouldn’t be a shock if some of the Premier League’s top clubs make a move for his signature this summer.

2013 - Tom Ince | Blackpool

Tom Ince enjoyed a fantastic season with Blackpool, scoring 18 goals in 44 league matches, and deservedly sealed the Football League Young Player of the Year award.

After an unsuccessful spell with Hull City in the top flight, Ince dropped back down to the Championship with Derby County in 2015, when he rediscovered his form and confidence.

He’s now back in the Premier League with Huddersfield Town.

2014 - Will Hughes | Derby County

A player with a huge reputation, Will Hughes spent another three seasons with Derby before accepting a Premier League move last summer.

The 22-year-old midfielder was Marco Silva’s first signing as Watford manager and the best, you suspect, is still yet to come from this talented youngster.

2015 - Dele Alli | MK Dons

Undoubtedly the most successful player on this list, Dele Alli would fetch a transfer fee well in excess of £100 million if Tottenham decided to sell the midfielder this summer.

What’s remarkable is that he’s still just 21 years old. He has the potential to become one of the best players in Europe.

Alli will take part in his first World Cup finals in Russia this summer.

2016 - Lewis Cook | Leeds United

The second former Leeds United player on this list, Lewis Cook joined Bournemouth in 2016 and is becoming an increasingly influential player for the Cherries.

Just this week, the 21-year-old was linked with a big-money move to Liverpool.

Could he be Emre Can’s replacement at Anfield?

2017 - Ollie Watkins | Exeter City

The only player on this list who managed to win the Football League Young Player of the Year award while playing in League Two, Ollie Watkins clearly has a very bright future ahead of him.