Danning has been a regular for Vitezslav Lavicka's men in the opening rounds and scored a cracking goal in the 3-2 win over North Queensland Fury.

His performances have helped shoot Sydney to the top of the table at this early stage of the campaign.

As well as securing a spot in the Sydney FC side he is expected to feature for the Young Socceroos at the Under 20 World Cup later this month.

"It's a great honour," said Danning. "As a team we've been going really well and I'm just happy to be a part of that. I want to keep improving my game and become more consistent.

"I'm trying to learn as much as I can from the coach (Vitezslav Lavicka) and the senior players (at Sydney) and keep progressing as a footballer. It's only early in the season, though and there's still plenty of hard work to do."

Determined by a panel of experts, including Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versliejen and Fox Sports FC Host Andy Harper, the NAB Young Footballer of the Year nominee was judged on his performance over rounds 1-4 of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 competition.

Danning is the first nominee to be announced and will join five following nominees to qualify to be named the NAB Young Footballer of the Year at the conclusion of the season.

The overall winner will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services, and the inaugural NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award.

To acknowledge the role of junior football clubs in the development of young stars, NAB will also provide a $3,000 equipment pack to the junior Canberra FC nominated by Kofi Danning.