Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been named by UEFA as the Champions League Young Player of the Season for 2022-23.
The Georgian has taken both Italian and European football by storm since his €11.5m arrival from Dinamo Batumi last summer, helping Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists from his 34 appearances in the league.
Last week, Kvaratskhelia was crowned the league’s MVP for the 2022-23 season, inheriting the title from Milan’s Rafael Leao.
Now, Kvaratskhelia has been recognised for his achievements on the continent as well, having chipped in with two goals and four assists from nine appearances as Napoli made their way to the competition’s quarter final for the first time ever.
In the end, Kvaratskehlia and Napoli were brushed aside in surprising fashion by Stefano Pioli’s Milan over two legs of the quarters, missing out on an all-Italian semi-final clash with eventual finalists Inter.
Despite the team’s elimination, UEFA had seen enough to confirm that Kvaratskhelia had been the best-performing youngster in the Champions League for the 2022-23 season.