Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga has been named the club’s PFA Community Champion for the 2025/26 season, an award that highlights players who go above and beyond to make a real difference in their local community.
Nominated by the Newcastle United Foundation, the Swedish international has been actively involved in outreach work since arriving on Tyneside last summer. His commitment to giving back was evident from the very start—just months after joining the club, Elanga made his first visit to NUCASTLE, the home of the Foundation, where he volunteered at the Community Pantry and even kicked a ball around with aspiring young footballers on the rooftop pitch.
But his impact didn’t stop there. The 24-year-old has also dedicated his time to several Premier League programmes run by the Foundation, helping to inspire young people to explore their futures. Earlier this season, he met with budding sports reporters as part of the Premier League Primary Stars initiative, sharing insights into the world of professional football and journalism. He also expressed pride in seeing pupils write powerful poems for the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign, using their voices to promote inclusion and equality.
The award was presented to Elanga by Ben Parker, Community Liaison Executive at the Professional Footballers’ Association, on behalf of the PFA.
Speaking about the honour, Elanga said: “This community has taken me in as one of their own, and that has really helped me settle. It feels like the start of a journey with some amazing things to come—I’m proud to be a part of that.
“Giving back to the community is something that has meant a lot to me since I was young and I want to carry on that tradition. Even the smallest gesture can mean the world to someone else, so I always want to play my part.”
For fans who follow Elanga’s journey both on and off the pitch, this recognition is yet another reminder that the best players aren’t just stars on matchday—they’re champions in their communities too. And whether you’re cheering him on from the stands or sporting his kit, it’s clear that his impact reaches far beyond the game.