Manchester City striker Erling Haaland won the prestigious Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award after his impressive debut season in England, it was announced Friday.
Haaland, 22, won the prize by a record margin, earning 82% of the vote ahead of Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, who finished second and third respectively.
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Elsewhere, Chelsea striker Sam Kerr became the first back-to-back winner of the Women’s Footballer of the Year. The Australia international gained twice as many votes as Aston Villa‘s Rachel Daly, who finished in second place while Kerr’s teammate Lauren James was third.
Both strikers have played a key role with their clubs as both Manchester City and Chelsea look to retain league titles.
“To win the Football Writers’ Award in my first season in English football is an honour,” Haaland said in a statement. “I try every single day to be the best I can be, and to be recognised like this means a lot to me.
“I have loved my time at City so far — my teammates are incredible, and they provide me with the chances to score goals. I want to thank all of them, because I could not have won this award without…
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