Morgan Gibbs-White Wins Premier League Player of the Month for April, Edging Out Noah Okafor

Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White has been named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for April, beating seven other nominees — including Nigerian-born Swiss international Noah Okafor of Leeds United — to claim the prestigious Premier League accolade for the first time in his career.

Gibbs-White’s April was defined by a remarkable level of productivity across just three league outings. The England international scored four goals and registered one assist during the month, with the standout moment coming during a 4-1 comeback victory over Burnley, in which he completed a hat-trick within 15 minutes. He then contributed a goal and an assist in a 5-0 demolition of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, a result that underlined Forest’s ambitions to secure their top-flight status comfortably.

Those results, along with a draw against Aston Villa, have moved Vitor Pereira’s side six points clear of the relegation zone with three Premier League fixtures remaining in the 2025/26 season — a position that would have seemed precarious earlier in the campaign.

The award was determined through a combination of public voting and expert panel assessment. Alongside Okafor, the shortlist of eight included Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly, as well as West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, all of whom were unable to match Gibbs-White’s output during the month.

Okafor, who was born in Nigeria before going on to represent Switzerland at international level, has been among Leeds United’s most influential players since joining from RB Salzburg via AC Milan. His performances contributed to Leeds’ strong push for a return to the Premier League, but they were not sufficient to deny Gibbs-White the monthly honour.

By securing the award, Gibbs-White becomes only the second Nottingham Forest player to win the EA SPORTS Player of the Month since the club’s promotion to the Premier League. He follows striker Chris Wood, who won the award in October 2024 — a period during which Wood was among the most clinical forwards in the division.

Gibbs-White is also a key figure alongside Nigerian international Ola Aina, who has been one of Forest’s most consistent performers this season in defence. The Super Eagles full-back has played a significant role in a side that has repeatedly defied expectations under Pereira’s management.

With three games left in the season, Forest’s focus now turns to confirming their Premier League survival. Six points above the bottom three, the club will be aiming to avoid any late-season slip that could complicate their standing, though their current cushion offers considerable security heading into the final stretch.