Khadija Shaw hails ‘special’ PFA Women’s Player award win with Grace Clinton collecting Young Player prize

KHADIJA SHAW paid tribute to her football rivals and Manchester City team-mates after being voted women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

The striker, 27, who is currently on a pre-season tour in Australia with her club, described her win as “a special honour”.

AlamyKhadija Shaw’s PFA Players’ Player award win follows her helping Man City finish second in the WSL last term[/caption]

GettyThe City striker won last term’s WSL Golden Boot despite sustaining a season-ending ankle injury[/caption]

GettyGrace Clinton was voted the PFA’s Young Women’s Player of the Year following her impressive loan spell at Tottenham last season[/caption]

GettyLauren James is one of three Chelsea stars named in the PFA’s Women’s Team of the Year[/caption]

The Jamaica captain pipped team-mates Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp to the gong.

Chelsea trio Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James and Niamh Charles are the three remaining nominees who finished as runners-up for this year’s prize.

Shaw’s triumph follows a season in which she collected the Women’s Super League’s Golden Boot after netting 21 goals in 18 top tier games last term.

The Jamaica hotshot played an influential role in the Cityzens pushing Chelsea all the way in a tense top-flight title battle.

A contest which the Blues’ won on goal difference last term.

She said: “I am both happy and proud to have received this award – to be recognised in such a way by my peers is a very special honour. 

“I also want to thank my teammates and the entire coaching staff because without them this wouldn’t be possible. 

“I’d also like to congratulate all my fellow nominees who are such amazing players.

“To have been voted the player of the year means a lot.”

Earlier this year Shaw, who sustained a season-ending ankle injury in April, was named as the WSL’s Player of the 2023-24 campaign.

The striker, who joined the club from French side Bordeaux three years ago, is one of six City aces named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year.

England trio Alex Greenwood, Hemp and Khiara Keating are included in the star-studded line-up along with Japan playmaker Hasegawa and Spain defender Laia Aleixandri.

Blues full-back Charles, midfielder Cuthbert, forward James and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, have also been included in the PFA’s WSL women’s team of the year.

This follows a season in which the quartet helped their side to a fifth successive WSL title win to round off Emma Hayes’ final year at the Blues’ helm.

James finished as the WSL’s second highest scorer with a 13 goals in 16 games.

Grace Clinton and Arsenal centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy are the only two players from outside the league’s top two sides named in the PFA’s selected 11.

Man United starlet Clinton, 21, who impressed during her one-term loan spell at Tottenham, was also voted the PFA’s Young Women’s Player of the Year.

This follows a season in which the midfielder helped Spurs reach the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time ever.

The young Lioness, who began her senior club career at Everton in 2020, made 20 top-flight appearances for Tottenham last season.

The North London side, managed by Robert Vilahamn, were beaten 4-0 by the Red Devils at the Wembley showpiece in May.

Clinton, who attended tonight’s star-studded PFA ceremony at the Manchester Opera House, said: “It’s such an honour to be voted by the unbelievable players that play in this league.

The midfielder, who scored on her senior England debut in February, added: “It’s the best league in the world.

“To go out on loan, learning as a young player and being recognized is lovely.

“I’ve played with confidence and when you play with that, then you see the best version of a player.

Sunday TimesClinton helped Tottenham make history with the team beating Arsenal for the first time in the WSL last December[/caption]

“Tottenham have been a massive part of my journey, and I can’t thank them enough.

“Goals and visualisation are important to me but most of all just enjoying playing.

 “If I’m enjoying myself then I play my best football.”