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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias named FWA Footballer of the Year

Dias is only the third player to win the FWA award in his first season in English football
Dias is only the third player to win the FWA award in his first season in English football

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been voted the Football Writers' Association’s Footballer of the Year.

Portugal international Dias, 24, was a comfortable winner ahead of Tottenham forward Harry Kane and his City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne.

Dias has enjoyed an outstanding first campaign at the Etihad Stadium since a club record £64.3million transfer from Benfica last September.

He has helped Pep Guardiola's squad win the Carabao Cup once more, regain their Premier League title and also reach the Champions League final, where they will face Chelsea in Porto on 29 May.

A total of nine City players received individual votes from the FWA membership, which accounted for more than 50 per cent of the overall ballot.

After accepting the award, Dias paid tribute to all his colleagues at the club.

"It is a huge privilege. Obviously I could not have done it without the success of the team," Dias said in an interview with the FWA.

"I think me receiving this prize is the major example of how our team works, the way we build our game.

"It reflects all the togetherness we have on the pitch, how we perform and the spirit that is in the team and with these players.

"Thank you to all my colleagues, the (Man City) staff, the physios, the kit men, the guys in the kitchen, that all bring a smile every day to the training ground to make us feel good, to make us feel ready, to make us feel the best way they can.

"All those details make a difference at the end."

Dias is only the third player to win the FWA award in his first season in English football.

The last defender to collect the trophy, which has been presented since 1948, was Liverpool’s Steve Nicol 32 years ago.

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