Vardy named player of the year by football writers

Jamie Vardy has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for 2016.

The Leicester City forward won 36% of the votes from the football writers, ahead of his team-mates, Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo Kante.

Vardy’s 22 Barclays Premier League goals for club have played an important part in sending Leicester to the brink of winning the Barclays Premier League title.

The 29-year-old is the first player from Leicester to win the prestigious award, which he will receive from former Foxes striker Gary Lineker on 12 May. In total, seven Leicester players were nominated.

Mahrez who won the Professional Footballers’ Association award for best player last month.

"It is testament to their all-round excellence that so many Leicester players polled votes from our members,” FWA chairman Andy Dunn said. “The Jamie Vardy story, though, clearly captured the imagination of so many writers.

"His record-breaking feat of scoring in 11 consecutive matches is the jewel in what will surely be Leicester City's Premier League crown.

"And the Footballer of the Year award is not just a reflection of his fantastic season, but recognition of a remarkable journey from non-League to the international stage."

Vardy expressed his pride at winning the award.

“It’s a great honour to win such a prestigious award and to have my name added to a list of previous winners that includes some unbelievable players," Vardy said. “Thank you to the Football Writers’ Association and to everyone that voted.

“Thank you also to my team-mates, who are the reason I’ve been able to achieve anything.”

Other players to receive votes from FWA members were Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne, and Spurs’ Dele Alli.

FWA Winners in the BPL era

FWA website >>