German journalists name Lahm as Player of the Year 2017

Retired footballer Philipp Lahm has been named as Player of the Year following a poll by Germany's leading sports magazine "Kicker".

The 33-year-old defender, who hung his soccer shoes up after the Bundesliga season 2016-2017, crowned his retirement with another title as 242 of 885 sport journalists voted for the former Germany international, reports Xinhua news agency.

After 22 years with Bayern Munich, Lahm was able to clinch one UEFA Champions League title, eight Bundesliga titles and six German Cups. He made overall 759 competitive appearances in his career and provided 27 goals.

"It is a great honour. I am really happy about this awarding. I think the German sport journalists have probably rated my whole career," Philipp Lahm said in an official statement.

Lahm left Real Madrid's Toni Kroos with 50 votes behind as the midfielder received 192 votes, followed by Dortmund's goal getter Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who finished on the third place with 120 votes.

Hoffenheim's head coach Julian Nagelsmann has been named as the Coach of the Year with 273 votes. Freiburg's coach Christian Streich came in on the second place with 12 less votes while Leipzig's Ralph Hasenhuettl completed on the third place with 107 votes.

Dzsenifer Marozsan won the award in the women's competition with 216 votes meanwhile last year's winner Alexandra Popp earned 109 votes followed by Bundesliga top scorer Mandy Islacker with 107 votes.

The election for Player-of-the-Year have been organised by the "Kicker" since 1960. The first winner of the award was Uwe Seeler. The award for the women has been implemented in 1996. In 2002, the Coach of the Year was selected for the first time.

--IANS

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