Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on Sunday named German Footballer of the Year in a election by Kicker sports magazine. Neuer, who left Schalke 04 for Bayern Munich after the past season, garnered 210 votes from the German sports media to win the prestigious domestic award from league top scorer Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich (190).
Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, who has since left for Real Madrid, placed third with 142 votes.
Neuer, 26, is the first goalkeeper to win the award since Oliver Kahn in 2000 and 2001. He had remarkable performances in several Bundesliga games and was a key player in Schalke's run to the German cup title and Champions League semi-final berth. "I am very surprised because it a goalkeeper is usually not picked. This is a big honour for me," Kicker quoted Neuer as saying.
Dortmund's Juergen Klopp was elected Coach of the Year and Fatmire Bajramaj, who has left Turbine Potsdam for FFC Frankfurt, Women's Player of the Year.
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