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Leroy Sane Wins 2018 PFA Young Player of the Year Award over Harry Kane, More

James Dudko@@JamesDudkoX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistApril 22, 2018

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Leroy Sane of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane was named 2018 Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year at the annual ceremony in London on Sunday after finishing ahead of Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and City team-mate Raheem Sterling.

The award was confirmed on the PFA official Twitter account:

PFA @PFA

Congratulations Leroy Sane, the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year in association with @Forever_Hope_FD 🏆👏#PFAAwards https://t.co/AzZNx6RgG1

Sane used social media to thank City supporters after collecting his prize:

Leroy Sané @LeroySane19

Big honour 🔥🏆🔥 Thanks a lot for all your support during our amazing @premierleague season! #PFAyoungPlayerOfTheYear #inSané #LS19 @ManCity https://t.co/2cJMuSeaEK

He claimed the award after scoring 13 goals and providing 14 assists across all competitions during his second season with the club. The 22-year-old's contributions in the final third helped City win the Premier League title and lift the Carabao Cup.

In the process, Sane managed to match a record previously achieved by one of the game's biggest players, according to OptaJoe:

OptaJoe @OptaJoe

1 – Leroy Sane is the first player to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award and win the Premier League in the same season since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007. Potential. https://t.co/RJCggXPSWk

It also marked a rare achievement for a player representing City to be honoured this way, per Sky Sports Statto:

Sky Sports Statto @SkySportsStatto

Leroy Sane is the 2nd player from @ManCity to become @PFA Young Player of the Year, after Peter Barnes in 1975-76. He has 12 assists in the PL this season. Only team-mate Kevin de Bruyne (15) has more in 2017-18 #PFAawards #PL #MCFC https://t.co/7NUKuFbVmi

Despite his exceptional campaign, it's somewhat surprising Sane took the award ahead of Sterling. The latter has enjoyed a breakout season in front of goal, per Squawka Football:

Squawka Football @Squawka

Raheem Sterling has now scored as many Premier League goals this season (18) as in his four seasons at Liverpool combined. Incredible development. 📈 https://t.co/62yz3dlX4y

Kane, whose nomination caused some controversy since he will be 25 in July, has also had a prolific season, scoring 37 times in all competitions.

Regardless of the merit of his nomination, James Robson of the Manchester Evening News felt beating the Spurs forward marks a laudable achievement in its own right:

James Robson @JamesRobsonMEN

When Sane is beating Kane to Young Player of the Year - it tells you everything you need to know about just how good he's been

There's no doubt Sane is an emerging star. His close control, technique and acceleration are helping make the initial £37 million City paid Schalke 04 to sign him in 2016 look like a true bargain in this market.

Sane has everything he needs to get better on the watch of progressive manager Pep Guardiola.