Manchester City's Raheem Sterling has been named Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.
Sterling, the City and England forward was a clear winner in the vote of over 400 FWA members, taking 62 per cent of the poll and 100 votes more than Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk. His fellow City forward Sergio Aguero placed third.
Other players to receive votes from FWA members were, in alphabetical order: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Bernardo Silva and David Silva (Manchester City).
Sterling, 24, becomes the first Manchester City winner of football's oldest individual award, first handed out in 1948, for 50 years since defender Tony Book shared the 1969 accolade with Derby's Dave Mackay.
An integral part City's battle with Liverpool for the Premier League title, Sterling has also received widespread praise for his courageous stance taken against racism in the game.
The England forward has scored 29 goals for club and country this season, helping drive Gareth Southgate's side to the UEFA Nations League finals and an impressive start in Euro 2020 qualifying.
Sterling, who could yet also end up with an FA Cup winners' medal, will be presented with the Sir Stanley Matthews Trophy at the 2019 Footballer of the Year dinner, to be held at the Landmark Hotel in London on May 9.