Finland's Teemu Pukki has been named the English Premier League's Player of the Month for August. The Norwich City striker has scored five goals and provided one assist in the first four games of this season, including a hat-trick against Newcastle United, and has had a direct role in all of the goals his club have scored so far.
"It is a great honor. There have been some good goals and we have played some good football. A big thank you to my teammates," Pukki said in a video (in Finnish) posted on the official account of Finland's national team.
The Kotka talisman is currently on international duty as Finland prepare to play two important Euro 2020 qualifying matches, against Greece on Thursday and against Italy on Sunday.
Pukki is the first Finn to be awarded the monthly gong since Mikael Forssell, then with Birmingham City, was named player of the month in March 2004. Sami Hyypiä is the only other Finn to collect the award, having won in November 1999.
Other nominations for the August award were Manchester City midfielders Raheem Sterling and Kevin DeBruyne, Burnley striker Ashley Barnes, Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
Pukki won a number of individual accolades last season, including the Sky Bet Championship and PFA Championship Player of the Season awards.