Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has been named PFA Player of the Year, beating Arsenal's Samir Nasri into second and Manchester City's Carlos Tevez into third.
The former Southampton youngster shot to fame during the 2010/11 campaign as he helped Spurs to the Champions League Quarter Finals, putting Inter Milan to the sword in the group stages when making two of Spurs three goals in the home tie and netting a hat-trick during a 4-3 defeat in the San Siro.
Despite struggling to play since late January due to injury, the Welshman has netted seven times in the Premier League, form which accompanied by his impressive European displays, allowed him to see off competition from Carlos Tevez, Samir Nasri, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Scott Parker, Charlie Adam and Nemanja Vidic for the award.
Bale was also nominated for the Young Player of the Year Award, picked up by Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, but admitted to being ecstatic to join a star studded list of players to previously pick up the honor.
''I am more than delighted really,'' said Bale. ''It is a massive award and it is a great honor to receive, especially from other fellow professionals.
''It is a honor really when you look at the names that have won it before and it just makes you go 'wow' really.
''There haven't been too many Welshman to have won the trophy but it is great and it is great for me personally.
''And it is not just for me, it is for all my team-mates that have helped me through the season and it is kind of for everyone really.''
The 21-year-old follows in the footsteps of compatriots Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush in picking up the honor but Goal.com readers may be left frustrated having voted in their droves during a recent poll that Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic deserved the award, closely followed by Samir Nasri. Bale picked up only 7.63% of the vote.
Early on in his Tottenham career, Bale attracted headlines as his side endured a torrid run of form whenever he was selected but after a strong finish to the 2009/10 campaign, his fortunes have sky rocketed this term. A change in fortune he attributes to a number of factors.
''I think it is due to a bit of everything really,'' he added.
''At the beginning I wasn't really playing much and I always believed in myself that if I did get a run in the team - which I eventually did - that I would be able to prove what I can do.
''That did happen and I kind of never really looked back from there.
''Playing in a good team with good players definitely helped me a lot and all the boys have been fantastic, the manager has been fantastic, giving me my chance, and it is something I want to improve on.''
Spurs fans will hope Bale’s return from injury and prestigious honor will springboard the dynamic winger into top form as Harry Redknapp’s men chase down Manchester City for a Champions League berth during the closing stages of the campaign.
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