Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has been named the Premier League Player of the Season for the 2020/21 campaign.
The Portugal defender completes an individual award double after winning the Football Writers’ Association award in May, beating his City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne – who won the Premier League Player of the Season award last season – and Tottenham striker Harry Kane to the honour.
All three were on the shortlist for the Premier League’s best player award, alongside Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and Chelsea’s Mason Mount were also nominated.
After joining from Benfica last summer for £65m, Dias made 32 league appearances for Man City this season, scoring one goal and helping his side register 15 clean sheets when he played.
His partnership with John Stones at the heart of Guardiola’s defence, which conceded only 32 goals in total in the league, played a key part in City’s Premier League triumph.
After just one win in their first three league games, Dias’ increasing influence in the side helped them go on a staggering 21-game win streak in all competitions, including 15 successive victories in the Premier League.