Chelsea's Sam Kerr has been named women's footballer of the year by the Football Writers' Association for the second year running.
The Australia international claimed the prize alongside men's footballer Mohamed Salah last year and her form in Blue this term has earned the plaudits once again. Kerr has played a key role in Chelsea's title chase this season, as well as in their journey to two domestic cup finals and Champions League semi-final.
Kerr has 27 goals across all competitions this season, 10 of which have come in the Women's Super League. Man City's Khadija Shaw and Aston Villa's Rachel Daly lead the chase for the golden boot, but it's been another high-scoring campaign for the Chelsea forward.
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The Mirror's John Cross and chairman of the FWA said: "It said everything about how Sam Kerr is held that she was carrying the Australian flag at the Coronation last weekend. That's how much she's respected as an icon of sport Down Under.
"She's not the first to win it twice, but she's the first to win it in consecutive years. What an amazing achievement and example she is as a winner."
The women's prize was first introduced in the 2017/18 season and was won by fellow Chelsea star Fran Kirby. Nikita Parris and Vivianne Miedema claimed the award in 2019 and 2020 before Kirby won it a second time in 2021, followed by Kerr in 2022.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes' summed up Kerr's importance after their narrow FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa last month, in which the forward scored the only goal of the game. "We can talk all day about the millions of things we can improve, but I would rather have the most efficient player in the world than someone who has a million chances," Hayes said.
"It’s unbelievable. I have never seen a centre-forward move as much as her. It’s not a single movement, it’s a double movement. Next time you watch her play, watch us in transition and see who makes the first movement. It’s always Sam."
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