ADRIÁN MACHÍN WINS THE FANS “Nina Gil” PLAYER OF THE SEASON TROPHY 2023/24

Prior to the 2-0 home win on Wednesday 1^st May UD Lanzarote season ticket holders (abonos) and club members (socios) were able to vote for their top three most favourite players of the season with three points awarded for their first choice, two for the second and one point for the third.

The name of the trophy has changed this year as the club want to remember “Nina” the Godmother (La Madrina) of the club who died in 2020. It will now be known as the Nina Gil Player of the season trophy.

Local lad Adrián Machín is UD Lanzarote´s Player of the Season 2023/24 as voted for by the fans. The 25 year old winger had a fairly quiet start to the campaign and was often a substitute in the first half of the season and hadn’t scored a goal.

The second half of the season his form has been astonishing, scoring on seven occasions and being man of the match in several games. I have known Adrián and the ability he possesses for many years and finally he has that confidence in himself and is showing extraordinary quality on the ball.

He has worked on his physical side of his game and can now more than handle himself on the pitch and I am sure that this is just the beginning of what he has to offer.

Adrián Machín will have the honour of being presented the Nina Gil trophy on the pitch at the final league match of the season at home versus U.S. Yaiza on May 12^th by UD Lanzarote legend Oscar Vladimir (Vladi).

Vladi was part of the squad in the 2002/03 that were champions of Segunda B (Third Tier) and he will live long in local history by scoring the goal versus the Mighty Real Madrid to go in level (1-1) at halftime with the Galacticos in 2001 in Arrecife. Nina´s daughter Pilar and a club sponsor will also present Adrián Machín with a memento and a shirt signed by all the clubs players, backroom staff and management.

UD Lanzarote´s second most voted player is Ismael Traoré. The exciting Ivory Coast winger has bagged 11 goals this season and in his two and a half years with the club has become a fans favourite. Had this vote taken place after the win last Wednesday the result may have been different as the 30 year old was man of the match and scored both goals.

Midfielder Javi Martín has taken third place and is also a little unfortunate as he has been out injured for a few matches so isn’t as much in the minds of voting fans. The 26 year old local boy is a beautiful footballer. He has an elegant style to his play and can see passes that nobody else can. The good news is that he is back to full fitness and ready to go for the remainder of the season and has also pledged his immediate future with the club.

One of Lanzarote´s most popular players is the no nonsense defender Raúl and he comes in at fourth. When you see his name on the team sheet an air of confidence and relief are felt. You know that you are going to get 100% commitment with the 29 year old and this rubs off on his team mates.

Club captain Ayoze Pérez is the fans fifth most favourite player. Even though the 37 year old has not started every match, when he does enter the fray he has the ability to change the game and motivate his team. This season he has been used in almost every position except in goal and he is and will always be a club legend.

This is the top five most voted players for UD Lanzarote this season:

1. Adrián Machín (151 points)
2. Ismael Traoré (132)
3. Javi Martín (115)
4. Raúl Fernández (113)
5. Ayoze Pérez (83)

Congratulations to the whole squad as everyone of those lads have been committed, and with one league game remaining we have the chance to finish second and claim a Copa Del Rey spot for next season.