Ruben Dias joined Manchester City last summer from Benfica. (Reuters) Manchester City defender Ruben Dias was named the Premier League Player of the Season on Saturday following a vote, becoming only the second Portuguese player to receive the honour.
The 24-year-old centre-back was also named England’s Footballer of the Year in the annual vote of the Football Writers’ Association last month following a superb debut campaign after his move from Benfica last year.
Announcing himself to the #PL in 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 😎
👏 Introducing your 2020/21 @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Season: @rubendias 👏#PLAwards pic.twitter.com/FCvr2Jg1w1
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 5, 2021
Dias, who played a key role in delivering City’s third Premier League title in four years as well as the League Cup, also helped it reach the Champions League final.
He is the fourth defender to be voted Player of the Season by the public, the captains of the 20 Premier League clubs and a panel of experts after Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, former City captain Vincent Kompany and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Other nominees for the award included Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Mason Mount, Mohamed Salah and Tomas Soucek.
Dias’ compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo won the Premier League Player of the Season award for United in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
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