Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has been voted
Footballer of the Year for the 2015-16 season by
the Football Writers' Association.
Vardy, 29, topped the poll of 290 journalists with
36 percent of the vote, a clear winner ahead of
teammates Riyad Mahrez and N'Golo
Kante. Mahrez was named the PFA's Footballer
of the Year last month.
Congratulations @LCFC's @vardy7, who's been
voted the Football Writers' Association's
Footballer of the Year 2016 #epl #lcfc
- The FWA (@theofficialfwa) May 2, 2016
The England international has scored 24 goals
for club and country so far this season as the
Foxes close in on what would be a remarkable
Premier League title triumph. They will be
crowned champions should closest rivals
Tottenham Hotspur fail to beat Chelsea on
Monday evening.
Seven Leicester players received votes in the
FWA poll, with midfielder Danny Drinkwater,
goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, defenders Wes
Morgan and Danny Simpson also being
recognised by the voters.
Congratulations to @vardy7, who has been
named the Football Writers Association's
Footballer of the Year! #lcfc pic.twitter.com/
Mu4EZodwj0
- Leicester City (@LCFC) May 2, 2016
Vardy will be honoured with the prestigious FWA
accolade, which has been running since 1948, at
a gala dinner in London on May 12.
FWA chairman Andy Dunn said: ''It is testament
to their all-round excellence that so many
Leicester players polled votes from our
members. 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'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."
Other players to receive votes from FWA
members were Tottenham striker Harry Kane,
West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet, Manchester
City duo Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne as
well as Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.
Vardy said: "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. Thank you to the Football
Writers' Association and to everyone that voted.
"Thank you also to my teammates, who are the
reason I've been able to achieve anything. It's
been an amazing season for all of us at
Leicester, based on teamwork not individuals,
which you can see in the voting. Thanks also to
the manager, all the staff and the fans for their
support.
"We're all totally focused on getting over the line
in the final two weeks of the season and turning
a great season into one we'll never forget.
Hopefully I can contribute to that and, if selected,
carry some good form into the Euros this
summer."