Ebere Eze is making headlines both on and off the pitch. The Arsenal forward, of Nigerian descent, was awarded the PFA Community Champion prize at the London Football Awards on Thursday, recognising his charitable contributions through the Eze Foundation.
The 27-year-old beat Jimmy Dunne of Queens Park Rangers and Championship side Millwall to claim the accolade at the ceremony held at the Exhibition White City in West London.
“It’s a special time for all of us. We’re all grateful to be in this position. This is what it’s all about,” Eze said while receiving the award. Reflecting on his upbringing, he added that he aims to emulate the role models who inspired him as a child, giving back to the community in meaningful ways.
Eze joined Arsenal in the summer in a £60 million ($81 million) deal with an additional £7.5 million in add-ons, as the club seeks to end a 22-year Premier League title drought. Since joining, he has scored six league goals, five of which came against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
“Just being involved in a team like this is a jump from Crystal Palace in terms of the types of players and the manager,” Eze said, noting that working under Mikel Arteta has helped him develop a deeper understanding of the game.
The Eze Foundation, founded in 2023, focuses on providing young people with opportunities to develop skills and confidently navigate education and employment pathways. The charity has already delivered over 200 programmes aimed at bridging the gap between education and career opportunities.
“Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and employment, providing young people with the support, connections, and real-world experience they need to thrive in their careers,” the foundation said.
Eze, who began his career in the Arsenal academy and previously won the FA Cup with Crystal Palace, continues to shine as both a footballer and a community leader, inspiring young people on and off the field.
