You are here: HomeSportsSoccer2012 11 13Article 256279

Soccer News of Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Source: ghanasoccernet

Majeed Waris Wins Swedish League's Player of The Season Award

Ghana striker Abdul Majeed Waris has been named the Swedish Premier League’s Best Player of the Year award thanks to his heroics this season.

The 21-year-old also picked the third prize in the overall Best Swedish Player of the Year award which includes the country’s best players both at home and abroad.

Waris scooped the award at a glittering ceremony in Stockholm on Monday night.

He beat competition from his Hacken team-mate Martin Ericsson and Malmo midfielder Pontus Jansson to win the coveted Swedish Premier League’s Best Player award.

But he missed out of winning the overall Best Swedish Player of the Year award which was won by Johan Elmander.

The Black Stars striker was faced competition from Galatasaray’s Swedish playmaker Johan Elmander, PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Galatasaray and Mathias Ranégie of Udinese Calcio but managed to finish third.

Waris was not available to pick up the award as he was on international duty with the Black Stars but Hacken captain Mohammed Ali Khan stepped up to receive the award on his behalf.

He becomes the first Ghanaian to win the league’s top prize even though some several top names in the past like Shamo Quaye and Yaw Preko had played in the country’s league.

Waris won the top-scorer award after emerging top scorer of the the Swedish top-flight with 23 goals from 29 games.

In May he became the first player to score five goals in a single game in the Swedish top-flight and also bagged four braces and a hat-trick and also became the first player to win the goal king crown with more than 21 goals since the 2002 season.

His performances sparked a frantic chase for his signature since the end of the season two weeks ago and he signed a five-year-contract with Russian giants Spartak Moscow and will join his new club in January.

“I can’t wait to get back to Sweden to get the award; I’m so excited,” Waris told MTNFootball.com

With Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan missing in action, Waris is expected to lead the Ghana attack on Wednesday in the international friendly against Cape Verde in Lisbon.