The latest inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame have been announced, with Eric Cantona and Roy Keane joining original inductees, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry.
The Premier League Hall of Fame was launched last month to recognise and celebrate the exceptional skill and talent of players who have graced the League since its inception in 1992. Over the next week, the next six inductees will line up alongside the Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, who were the first to be given the honour. And former Manchester United captains Eric Cantona and Roy Keane have become the latest players to be inducted.
Cantona and Keane are two of the six players from a 23-man shortlist to receive the most combined votes from the public and the Premier League Awards Panel.
Cantona's career started with a bang, following up his 1991/92 First Division title success with the Premier League's first hat-trick for Leeds against Tottenham Hotspur, before Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford. He inspired the Man Utd team with many moments of magic that showcased his skill and flair, none more so than his sublime chip against Sunderland in December 1996. The forward then shocked the football world with his retirement in May 1997 at the age of 30. Speaking on his induction, the talismanic Frenchman said, "I am very happy and very proud, but at the same time I am not surprised”.
Keane amassed 366 Premier League appearances across a successful 12-and-a-half year spell in which he won seven league titles at Old Trafford from 1993 to 2005.
Speaking on his induction, the ex-Manchester United captain – in stark contrast to Cantona, summing up the two players’ opposing styles – said: “I feel very lucky to be inducted but I’ve only been inducted because of the players I’ve played with.”
The remaining four spaces will be filled in the coming days.
