Khadija Shaw and Grace Clinton Shine in PFA Awards

 


Khadija Shaw and Grace Clinton Shine in PFA Awards

Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw has been honored as the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) women's player of the year, while Manchester United's Grace Clinton has been named young player of the year.

Shaw, 27, had an outstanding season in the Women's Super League (WSL), finishing as the top scorer with 21 goals in just 18 games. Despite a season-ending injury and Manchester City's narrow second-place finish to Chelsea on goal difference, Shaw's performances earned her widespread acclaim.

“I am both happy and proud to have received this award - to be recognized in such a way by my peers is a very special honor,” Shaw said. She also expressed gratitude to her teammates and coaching staff, acknowledging their support in her success. "To have been voted the player of the year means a lot."

This marks Shaw’s first PFA award, adding to her previous accolades as the WSL player of the year for 2023-24 and the player of the year at the Women's Football Awards. She bested Manchester City teammates Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp, as well as Chelsea players Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, and Niamh Charles for the PFA award.

In the young player category, Clinton, 21, stood out with her impressive performances while on loan at Tottenham last season, where she scored four goals and provided four assists. Her efforts earned her first England caps. Last year's winner, Lauren James, was also a nominee for the young player of the year award after a stellar season with Chelsea, where she netted 13 goals in 16 games to help secure the WSL title.

Other nominees included Manchester City’s Khiara Keating, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier, and Manchester City’s Jess Park.

In the men’s categories, Manchester City’s Phil Foden was awarded player of the year, and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer took home the young player of the year accolade.