London: Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has been voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).
The 29-year-old has scored 22 league goals this season.
Vardy, who built his career away from the spotlight at Stocksbridge, Halifax and Fleetwood Town, became the first player to score in 11 consecutive Premier League matches earlier this season.
“The Jamie Vardy story clearly captured the imagination of so many writers,” FWA Chairman Andy Dunn told Reuters.
“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.”
Vardy, who won 36 per cent of the vote, is the first Englishman to win the award since Scott Parker in 2011 and the first Leicester player to win it since it was started in 1948.
In winning the award, he beat teammates Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, who finished second and third, while Danny Drinkwater, Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson were the other Leicester players who received votes.
“It is testament to their all-round excellence that so many Leicester players polled votes from our members,” Dunn added.
