By LONDON — Khadija Shaw of Manchester City has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) women’s player of the year, while Grace Clinton of Manchester United claimed the young player of the year award for the 2023-24 season.
Shaw, a 27-year-old forward from Jamaica, topped the Women’s Super League (WSL) scoring charts with an impressive 21 goals in 18 games. Her outstanding performance helped Manchester City challenge for the title, ultimately finishing second to Chelsea on goal difference after an injury curtailed Shaw’s season.
Upon receiving the award, Shaw expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am both happy and proud to have received this award – to be recognized in such a way by my peers is a very special honor.” She added, “I also want to thank my teammates and the entire coaching staff because without them this would not be possible.”
This marks Shaw’s first PFA award, adding to her collection of accolades for the 2023-24 season, which includes the WSL player of the year and player of the year at the Women’s Football Awards.
The Jamaican international faced stiff competition for the award, beating out Manchester City teammates Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp, as well as Chelsea trio Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, and Niamh Charles.
In the young player category, 21-year-old Grace Clinton of Manchester United secured the award following an impressive season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. Clinton contributed four goals and four assists during her loan spell, performances which earned her first caps for the England national team.
Clinton’s victory came against strong competition, including last year’s winner Lauren James of Chelsea, who scored 13 goals in 16 games to help her team clinch the WSL title. Other nominees for the young player award included Manchester City’s Khiara Keating, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier, and Manchester City’s Jess Park.
The WSL team of the year, as voted by the players, reflected Manchester City’s strong season with six players included:
Goalkeeper: Khiara Keating (Manchester City)
Defenders: Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Grace Clinton (Tottenham Hotspur, on loan from Manchester United)
Forwards: Khadija Shaw (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
League champions Chelsea saw three players make the team: Niamh Charles, Erin Cuthbert, and Lauren James. Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy rounded out the defensive line, while young player of the year Grace Clinton represented Tottenham in the midfield.
This year’s awards highlight the continued growth and competitiveness of women’s football in England. Shaw’s domination of the scoring charts and City’s strong representation in the team of the year underline their challenge to Chelsea’s recent WSL supremacy. Meanwhile, Clinton’s emergence signals the ongoing development of young talent in the league.
The recognition of these players not only celebrates their individual achievements but also reflects the increasing quality and depth of the Women’s Super League as it continues to attract and develop world-class talent.
In the men’s categories, Manchester City’s Phil Foden won the player of the year award, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was named young player of the year, completing a sweep of the top individual honors for Manchester City across both the men’s and women’s games.
