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Top footballer

August 8, 2010

Dutch winger Arjen Robben has been voted Germany's Footballer of the Year by leading sports writers. Louis van Gaal, Robben's boss at Bayern Munich, became the first foreigner to win the award for best coach.

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Arjen Robben celebrates scoring a goal for Bayern Munich.
Robben helped Bayern Munich win the domestic double last seasonImage: AP

The Dutch player Arjen Robben was named Footballer of the Year 2009-2010 by German sports magazine Kicker on Sunday. His boss at Bayern Munich and fellow Dutchman, Louis van Gaal, was voted best coach.

26-year-old Robben saw off three clubmates in the annual vote by top sports journalists. He was outstanding in Bayern Munich's success last season, helping them win the domestic double, and reach the Champions' League final, losing to Inter Milan.

"This is a great honor, a reward for a super season," said Robben. "We only missed out in one game, otherwise we would have won everything."

Robben was a major influence on the successful Dutch World Cup team, which reached the final for the first time ever this summer, losing 1-0 to Spain.

He clocked up 445 votes, ahead of German international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (180), World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Mueller(118) and German captain, Philipp Lahm (35).

Robben is due to miss the next two months due to a thigh injury.

Author: Joanna Impey (AFP/dpa)
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar

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