By Xinhua
London : Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United was named footballer of the Year Friday for an unprecedented sweep of England’s three major individual soccer honours this season.
The Portugal winger finished ahead of Didier Drogba of Chelsea and teammates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in the 60th vote organised by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).
“I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to win such an important award, it is a real honour,” Ronaldo said.
The 22-year-old becomes the first Manchester United player to win the award since Teddy Sheringham in 2001 and the first Portuguese to land the honour.
The Professional Footballers’ Association also voted Ronaldo as ‘Player of the Year’ and ‘Young Player of the Year’ last month.
The winger, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon for 12.2 million pounds ($24.31 million) in 2003, has scored 22 goals this season for United, who were knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan on Wednesday.