Manchester City defender, Ruben Dias has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year after a stunning first season in the Premier League.
Dias became the first defender since 1989 to win the award and only the second Portuguese after Cristiano Ronaldo.
Dias moved to City from Benfica for £64million last summer, and has since established himself as arguably the best centre back in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old beat the likes of Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Tottenham striker Harry Kane and team-mate Kevin De Bruyne to the prestigious award.
Dias has enjoyed an outstanding debut season in England, playing 48 times in all competitions and scoring once.
His rock solid partnership with John Stones proved key as Guardiola’s men recovered from a disappointing 2019-20 campaign to win the Premier League title, with Dias keeping 14 clean sheets in 31 appearances so far.
Aside playing an integral role in their Premier League triumph, Dias also starred as City won the Carabao Cup and reached next week’s Champions League final.
FWA chair Carrie Brown said: “Ruben Dias turned heads soon after his arrival in Manchester, a 23- year-old belying his age with fortitude, steel, a relentless drive for perfection and an almost superhuman ability to read and anticipate phases of play.”
