Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah won the EFL Player of the Year award for the second time in its history on Thursday, while Chelsea's Sam Kerr won the women's award.
Salah, who shared the Golden Boot as the Premier League's top scorer this season with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, also won the award in the 2017-2018 season.
As much hard work as you gain honor, Salah 💪
The Egyptian King @MoSalah wins the Player of the Year award presented by @PFA 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/DFHukDxwQn
— Liverpool FC (@LFC_Arabic) June 9, 2022
The 29-year-old Egyptian international scored 31 goals in all competitions with Liverpool, and helped the team win the League and FA Cups and qualify for the Champions League final.
Salah said, "It is great to win this award, especially since the vote comes from the players, and it is a certificate of appreciation for the great effort you made, and shows that you are getting what you worked for."
🗣 “Very happy, I'm very proud.”
Mohamed Salah on being named the PFA Men's Player's Player of the Year.
🏆 pic.twitter.com/P8KQWt47tj
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 9, 2022
"I have my own prize locker and I always make sure there's room for another prize. I always imagine the prizes will come," he added.
Individual magic from @MoSalah 😍 https://t.co/upDvleB9Zt pic.twitter.com/Uwed2XutBc
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 7, 2022
Striker Kerr, who was the women's Premier League top scorer this season, became the first Australian player to win the award.
"Winning this award is a great honor because it comes based on the votes of female colleagues. I think it is the highest honor for any player and I can't be happy," said Kerr, who played a key role in Chelsea's victory in the domestic double.
Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Lauren Hemp retained the Young Player of the Year award, while former England coach Roy Hodgson and Brighton Women's coach Hope Powell received awards for their contributions to the game.
Hodgson, who announced his retirement last month after more than 40 years in coaching, said, "Unfortunately, I've never won any player titles, so it's good to be appreciated by my professional colleagues. This award will hold a great place for me."