De Bruyne named player of the year in Germany

Kevin de Bruyne has been voted player of the year in Germany after a stellar season in the Bundesliga, helping his side finish second and seal their UEFA Champions League return.

The Belgian international struck ten goals and a Bundesliga record 21 assists in 2014/15, having joined Wolfsburg from Chelsea in January 2014. De Bruyne received 367 of the 657 votes cast by German journalists in the poll organised by Kicker magazine, putting him comfortably clear of Bayern München duo Arjen Robben (94) and 2014 winner Manuel Neuer (67).

"To be named in another country as best player has a great importance," commented the 24-year-old. "This is recognition for my season. The award is a great honour for me that would not have been possible without the great performance of our team over the past year."

Wolfsburg were also honoured in the coaching category, with Dieter Hecking winning the vote ahead of Markus Weinzierl – who steered Augsburg to their first ever place in the UEFA Europa League – and Mönchengladbach's Lucien Favre. "This is recognition for the work of the entire coaching staff, and therefore my work as well," said Hecking. "As a team and club we developed successfully and now want to build on that success."

Meanwhile, Célia Šašić was named women's player of the year for the second time after her previous win in 2012, the 27-year-old forward having recently retired from the game. She beat goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, currently on loan at Brisbane Roar from Portland Thorns, and striker Anja Mittag.