Van Dijk Voted PFA Player Of The Year

Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk was officially announced as the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season on Sunday night at at the Grosvenor House in London.

Van Dijk’s announcement confirms earlier reports during the week that he had emerged winner of the prestigious individual award.

The former Southampton star beat Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Sergio Aguero, Sadio Mane and Eden Hazard in the vote by his fellow players.

He succeeds Liverpool team-mate, Mohamed Salah, who won the award in the 2017-18 season. He is the first defender to take the award since Chelsea centre-back John Terry in 2005.

Manchester City’s Sterling however went home with the PFA Young Player Of the Year

Speaking on the award, Van Dijk said:

“I think it’s special, definitely,” he said. “If you see the standard of strikers we have in the league or playmakers we have in the league, it’s unbelievable.

“If you see the shortlist and quality there is, it’s very special that the players in the league voted for me. I won’t take it for granted. It’s just very special.

“I think throughout the whole season I’ve been feeling great. We’ve been winning many games, we are competing with Man City for the title and I think the most important thing is to stay fit and play consistent as well – I think I’ve been doing that pretty well this season.

“Obviously without the help of my team-mates, it wouldn’t be possible but we have just to keep going, carry on and I’m feeling good.”

In the women’s category, Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema was announced as the winner.

Miedema, helped Arsenal clinch their first Women’s Super League title since 2012.

Banner Ad