Khadija Shaw and Grace Clinton Take Top Honors at PFA Awards

Khadija Shaw has been awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Women’s Player of the Year, with Grace Clinton securing the Young Player of the Year award.

Shaw, a 27-year-old forward for Manchester City, emerged as the Women’s Super League’s top scorer in the 2023-24 season, netting an impressive 21 goals in just 18 games. Despite her season being cut short by injury, Shaw’s contributions were pivotal in helping Manchester City finish second in the league, narrowly missing out on the title to Chelsea. This is Shaw’s first PFA award, adding to her accolades as the WSL Player of the Year for 2023-24 and the Women’s Football Awards Player of the Year.

Shaw beat stiff competition to claim the PFA honor, including her Manchester City teammates Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp, as well as Chelsea stars Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, and Niamh Charles.

Grace Clinton, the 21-year-old midfielder for Manchester United, earned the Young Player of the Year award after a successful loan spell at Tottenham, where she contributed four goals and four assists. Clinton’s performances also earned her her first England caps, highlighting her rise in the game. Last year’s winner, Lauren James, was also in contention for the award after a standout season with Chelsea, where she scored 13 goals in 16 games to help secure the Women’s Super League title.

The shortlist for the young player award also included Manchester City’s Khiara Keating and Jess Park, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, and Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier.