After missing out to Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm in 2016-17, Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos was on Sunday named Germany’s Footballer of the Year for the first time in his career.

The Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS), in conjunction with football magazine, Kicker, gave the midfielder 185 of the 475 votes cast to ensure he won the award.

The 28-year-old was a key member of the Madrid side that claimed a third successive Champions League title after beating English side, Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev in May, adding to the UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and Club World Cup titles claimed earlier in the season.

Freiburg striker, Nils Petersen came second with 39 votes, while Schalke’s Naldo finished third after receiving one ballot fewer than Petersen.

“It is and always will be an honour to be Footballer of the Year. This is a prize that is not easy to get, and not everyone gets,” Kroos said after the ceremony.

Former Bayern Munich boss, 73-year-old Jupp Heynckes gained two votes more than Domenico Tedesco to take the Coach of the Year award while in the female category, Lyon’s Dzsenifer Marozsan clinched the award for the second time in a row.