Raheem Sterling has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.
And it was double delight for Manchester City, with Nikita Parris winning the women’s award.
Sterling has drawn widespread praise for his performances for Pep Guardiola’s side as they seek to retain their Premier League title, but also for the strong stance he has taken against racism in the game.
He was awarded the PFA’s Young Player of the Year accolade on Sunday night and follows it up with the FWA award less than 24 hours later.
He wrote on Instagram: “Very proud with the PFA Young Player of the year, and truly thankful. Incredible support for the whole season, let’s go for more!!!”
rling has scored 17 Premier League goals, four behind the Golden Boot pace-setter Mohamed Salah, and has 29 in all competitions.
He also has 10 assists, the same as City teammate Leroy Sane and is a clear winner, with 62 per cent of the overall vote of over 400 FWA members.
He received 100 votes more than PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk, who finished second, with City teammate Sergio Aguero in third.
The 24-year-old becomes the first Manchester City winner of football’s oldest individual award, first handed out in 1948, for 50 years.
FWA chair Carrie Brown praised Sterling for his off-field impact, as well as his on-pitch displays.
She said: “Raheem Sterling is a player of style and a man of substance.
“More than 70 years ago Charles Buchan, one of the founding fathers of the Footballer Writers Association, suggested there be an award presented to the player who by “precept and example” is considered the Footballer of the Year.
“Raheem Sterling is an exemplar of the talent and values our founding fathers sought to reward when they established the FWA in 1947.
