The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper recorded 13 clean sheets this season, winning the award alongside Arsenalโs David Raya. The former Gent and Anderlecht man has enjoyed a stellar season, helping his side finish 7th and achieve continental football for the first time since 1995/96. Sels moved to England in February, 2024, for a fee of ยฃ5million from French club Strasbourg. A run of four clean sheets in a row over the Christmas period was Selsโ best form of the season, as Forest defied all expectations and climbed up to third in the table.
The 33-year-old has made nine caps for De Rode Duivels and has been called up by Rudi Garcia ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers. According to FotMob, Sels has made 120 saves and prevented 4.53 goals this campaign. He has become the first winner of this award that is not part of the traditional โbig sixโ since the awardโs inception in 2004/05. As a result of Selsโ positive contribution, Forest will enter the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League.
