PA Media/DPA
London
Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have been voted men’s and women’s player of the year respectively for last season at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) awards on Tuesday evening.
The 24-year-old Foden was instrumental in City winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, scoring 19 times and providing eight assists, and his achievements have now been recognised by his peers.
"To be recognised this way by your fellow professionals means everything and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me,” he said, according to mancity.com.
"I also want to pay special thanks to Pep (Guardiola), the City coaches and all my team-mates as they help me to try and get better every single day.
"Last season was another very special one for everyone at the club but now all our focus is concentrated on trying to achieve more success this term.” Jamaican forward Shaw was the top scorer in the Women’s Super League with 21 goals as City were edged out for the title on goal difference by Chelsea.
"I am both happy and proud to have received this award - to be recognised in such a way by my peers is a very special honour,” said the 27-year-old.
Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer has been chosen as the men’s PFA young player of the year, with Manchester United midfielder Grace Clinton winning the women’s prize after her performances on loan at Tottenham last season.
Palmer was second only to City’s Erling Haaland in the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals and also laid on more than any other Chelsea player - 11.
Clinton shone in a struggling Spurs side and contributed four goals and four assists in 20 WSL appearances.
Fara Williams, who is the most capped England player of all time, was one of two individuals whose career achievements were recognised with a PFA Merit award.
Williams won 172 caps for the Lionesses and scored 40 goals, helping England to third place at the 2015 World Cup while also playing for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Williams’ achievements in the game are all the more remarkable given she experienced homelessness during her career. She told the Big Issue last year that she had lived in hostels for seven years.