Cardiff City midfielder Adam Matthews been named the Championship Apprentice of the Year at the 2010 Football League Awards.Matthews, 18, has been the subject of Premier League transfer speculation this season and has made 21 competitive appearances for the Bluebirds.
Bluebirds youth team coach Geraint Twose described Matthews as: "A shining example to every young player."
He joined the club as an eight-year-old and at 16 was named Football Association of Wales Trust player of the year and on his 17th birthday signed his first professional contract and has gone on to establish himself among the first team squad.
Twose says Matthews is an example of how to perform on the field and behave off it.
He added: "Adam not only has the ability, but also the drive to improve.
"This is hopefully only the beginning of a successful career in football and one which all the players and staff at the academy are already very proud of."
Awards judge Craig Tregurtha of The Times newspaper added: "Adam stood out among some very impressive candidates.
"His attitude off the pitch is excellent, he is very successful academically and clearly has earned huge respect from his peers."
Matthews has also represented the The Football League at 10 Downing Street, delivering a speech to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
He follows in the footsteps of defender Chris Gunter who won the same award in 2007 and who has since joined Nottingham Forest.
Source: BBC Sport
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