Manchester City attacker Phil Foden has been named the 2024 Football Writers' Association Men's Footballer of the Year.
The 23-year-old received 42% of the votes from almost 900 FWA Members, fending off competition from Arsenal's Declan Rice in second and his City teammate Rodri in third.
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins and Chelsea's Cole Palmer completed the top six, while another 12 players also received votes from the FWA.
Foden follows in the footsteps of teammate Erling Haaland, who received the coveted award in 2023 following an exceptional debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, while Ruben Dias (2021) and former Citizens forward Raheem Sterling (2019) have also won the prestigious prize in recent years.
The academy graduate is enjoying his eighth year in Man City's senior team and has now been recognised for arguably his greatest season yet of his glittering career under the tutelage of manager Pep Guardiola.
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Foden "immensely proud" and "honoured" to win prestigious prize
Speaking to the FWA's official website after receiving his award, Foden said: "Being named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year is a huge honour. I'm very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my teammates.
"We have a very special squad of players at City, and I'm privileged to be a part of that group.
"I want to thank all my teammates as well as Pep and the coaches for all the support and advice they have given me.
"I strive to be the best that I can be every single day and that is all down to the way the manager and my colleagues always seek to improve and get better.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as well as my fellow nominees.
"I'm immensely proud to have won this award. Now I am focused on seeking to finish the season as strongly as possible and to try to help City win more trophies."
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Foden at the heart of City's 2023-24 success
Foden was in and out of Guardiola's side towards the backend of City's historic treble-winning campaign, but has since stepped up to become their standout performer in 2023-24.
The versatile attacker, who has operated out wide and in a central role just behind the striker, has scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in 48 appearances, to date, across all competitions.
Sixteen of those goals have been netted in 31 Premier League outings, and he is only five behind Haaland (21) in the race for the Golden Boot with four matches still to play.
Just over a week ago, Foden scored his 50th and 51st Premier League goals in a man-of-the-match display to help Man City claim a statement 4-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Foden, who will turn 24 at the end of May, has already won five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one Club World Cup during his time at Man City, but he is hoping to drive the Citizens towards two more pieces of silverware this term.
Man City are bidding to win a unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title and currently sit one point behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, while they will soon be preparing for another Manchester derby FA Cup final against rivals Manchester United later this month - a repeat of last year's showpiece event.
Oliver Thomas
