Sunderland coach Charlie Oatway says Fabio Borini is his player of the year.
Borini spent the season at Sunderland on-loan from Liverpool.
Oatway told the Evening Chronicle: "I love the kid. He's a pleasure to work with.
"He's such a humble guy. For instance, he was driving home after the West Brom game and he saw three Italians who he'd met earlier because they wanted his autograph.
"He saw they were walking to Newcastle, so he picked them up and drove them there. That's the type of guy he is. If he doesn't stay with us, I hope he really succeeds in his career because he deserves it.
"He's very professional on a daily basis.
"He goes out on the training field at virtually the same time as the coaching staff, about 15 minutes before the rest of them.
"He's out there starting to stretch and preparing for what's coming.
"If you're a kid, he's one to watch."
