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David Brooks crowned Welsh footballer of the year

The 21-year-old joined Bournemouth in an £11.5million deal last summer and has scored six Premier League goals.

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David Brooks has capped a memorable 12 months by being named Welsh footballer of the year.

The 21-year-old Bournemouth forward was also named young player of the year at the annual Football Association of Wales Awards in the Vale of Glamorgan, with Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock picking up the main women’s prize.

Warrington-born Brooks represented England at Under-20 level, being named the player of the 2017 Toulon Tournament, but opted to play for his mother’s country of birth.

Brooks starred as he made his competitive Wales debut in the 4-1 Nations League defeat of the Republic of Ireland in September and has become a first-team regular under manager Ryan Giggs.

At club level, Brooks joined Bournemouth from Sheffield United for £11.5million last summer and has made an impressive start to life in the top flight.

Brooks has scored six goals in 25 Premier League appearances and signed a new long-term contract at Bournemouth earlier this month after being linked with Manchester United and Tottenham.

Real Madrid striker Gareth Bale was named players’ player of the year and the media choice award went to Ben Davies.

Former manager John Toshack, who also won 40 caps between 1969 and 1980, was handed the special award for his lifetime achievement in Welsh football.

Fishlock was named Welsh women’s player of the year for the fifth time.

The 32-year-old from Cardiff is the only Welsh player, female or male, to earn 100 caps for the national team.

The women’s captain, Chelsea defender Sophie Ingle, won the players’ player of the year award, with Elise Hughes named young player of the year.

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