By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
ANKARA (AA) - Six new players have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, the league announced on Thursday.
Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes and Ian Wright were selected by the public through an online vote, and the Premier League Awards Panel.
They join Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira as this year's inductees and will be formally honored at an event in London this evening.
The Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the "exceptional skill" and "talent" of individuals who have graced the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honor awarded to players by the league.
"The latest additions to our Hall of Fame were all world-class players who entertained fans around the world and helped to define different eras of the Premier League," said Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters.
"I congratulate them on receiving the honour and thank those who voted for their favourite players. We now have 16 incredible inductees in the Premier League Hall of Fame and I look forward to seeing who will follow them in years to come."
All inducted players receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice.
To be eligible for the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022, players had to be retired by Jan. 1 and only a player's Premier League career was considered in their candidacy, not their performances in other competitions.
The Hall of Fame was launched in 2021, with Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry as inaugural inductees. David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard and Dennis Bergkamp were later added in the 'Class of 2021'.