Manchester City player Ruben Dias has been named Player of the Year for 2021 by the Football Writers’ Association.
The Portuguese international becomes only the third player ever to win the prestigious honour in his first season at a club, following Jurgen Klinsmann (in 1995) and Gianfranco Zola (1997).
And he is also the first defender to win the award since Steve Nicol in 1989 after making himself a mainstay of a defence that has conceded only 32 goals this season – fewer than any other team in this season’s Premier League.
He has become the leader and organiser at the back of a much improved City defence on whom this season’s success has been based.
Dias only joined City from Benfica last September but in just 48 appearances in all competitions so far the 24-year-old has helped the club lift the Premier League title and Carabao Cup and helped the club reach the Champions League final for the first time.
And he follows in the footsteps of team mate Raheem Sterling after topping the poll of 400 members of the FWA.
Commenting on the award, Dias said: “It’s a huge privilege. I’m very, very happy.
“It’s the same as always: obviously, I could not have done it without the success of the team – everyone in the team being able to deserve this award.
Only by that was I – as a defender – able to be here to receive this prize.
“It means something special because normally, the ones who finish the plays are the ones getting the spotlight but me receiving this prize is a major example of our team and the way we work – the way we build our game.
“It reflects all the togetherness we have on the pitch, the spirit in the team and how we perform.
“With these players, for me to be receiving this award, it shows how we play like a family.”