Robin van Persie named PFA Player of the Year as Tottenham's Kyle Walker scoops young player gong

Robin van Persie (right) shows off his Player of the Year award
with young player of the year Kyle Walker Photo: PA

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.

The 28-year-old Dutch international has scored 27 Premier League goals so far this season - his best return for the north London club - and was proud to be honoured by a poll of top-flight players.

“If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it,” he said. “It is a big honour.”

Van Persie may have picked up the top honour but he was quick to point out it would not have been possible without his Arsenal team-mates.

“Without them I could not have achieved it,” he said at the awards ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House.

Title-chasing Manchester City had four of their players named in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year.

Joe Hart was selected between the posts while there were also places for defender Vincent Kompany and midfielders Yaya Touré and David Silva.

Tottenham had three players included, with England internationals Kyle Walker – also named Young Player of the Year – and Scott Parker joined by last year’s PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale.

Wayne Rooney was the only representative from Manchester United.

Newcastle have been the surprise package of the season and were represented in the XI by Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini. Everton full-back Leighton Baines was rewarded for another impressive season with a place in the team, meaning there were no representatives from Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year: Joe Hart (Manchester City); Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Vincent Kompany (Man City), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Leighton Baines (Everton), David Silva (Man City), Yaya Toure (Man City), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Scott Parker (Tottenham); Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).