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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Lawrence Ostlere

PFA Player of the Year awards result: Virgil van Dijk wins main prize as Raheem Sterling settles for best young player

Virgil van Dijk won the PFA Player of the Year award in a ceremony in London, after playing a key role in Liverpool's title bid this season.

Raheem Sterling, who was also on the main shortlist, was named the best young player.

England captain Steph Houghton won a merit award while the WSL top scorer Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal took away the women's main prize. Re-live the ceremony: 

Hello and welcome along to our live coverage of the PFA Player of the Year Awards! Virgil van Dijk is the front runner for the main men's award, while England captain Steph Houghton is on the list for the women's award and Raheem Sterling is expected to scoop the men's best young player. We'll have all the latest updates right here from the ceremony in London, with the main award expected to be announced very shortly...
The ceremony has so far made its way through the lower leagues and has just been hearing from some of the stars of the Women's Super League, after Arsenal sealed the title earlier today. Here's the WSL team of the year:
England captain Steph Houghton has won the PFA Merit Award! "I loved playing football when i was younger, there was no professional league at the time. I never thought it would be my job." 
Manchester City's Georgia Stanway has been named the 2019 Women's PFA Young Player of the Year!
Raheem Sterling win's the 2019 men's Young Player of the Year award!
Sterling comes on the big screen to thank his fellow professionals for voting for him, as well as his teammates. He could not attend the ceremony after City's game today against Burnley.
Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal's prolific striker, has won the Women's PFA Player of the Year! What a day for the Dutch forward, after she scored a brilliant goal earlier against Brighton to help clinch the WSL title.
Van Dijk speaks! "It's unbelievable. I'm very proud. Defending is as important as attacking. We have Trent and Robbo have been amazing throughout the season, everyone can credit. We'll see how it ends."
That's all from me and this awards ceremony. I'll leave you with Miguel Delaney's assessment of exactly why Virgil van Dijk is a worthy winner:

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