Wales' most-capped footballer Jess Fishlock has been crowned the "most valuable player" in America's National Women's Soccer League.
The 34-year-old Welsh veteran and OL Reign midfielder, who has earned 127 caps for her country, has scored five goals - including one match winner - and added four assists in 24 league appearances this season, 21 of which were starts.
The award is the Cardiff native's first individual NWSL gong since joining the league in 2013, when the NWSL - widely regarded as one of, if not the, best leagues in the world - was formed.
Fishlock has this term boasted a passing accuracy of 76.4% while her defensive qualities have also come to the fore, winning 63% of tackles and providing 13 clearances and 21 interceptions.
OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey said: "If you speak to most people around the league and ask the coaches if they could take one player from our team, it would always be [Jess].
"I think that’s just a compliment of what she’s always brought to this team. The journey that she’s been on to get to this point has been phenomenal. I’m glad that she’s getting some recognition that she deserves."
Wales manager Gemma Grainger said: "It epitomises who she is, in terms of hard work and dedication.
“She’s worked hard her whole career, to be named as the ‘MVP’ in that league, which is arguably the best in the world, she should be so proud.
“She’s such a dedicated individual, coming back from an ACL injury in lockdown and to set the standards that she does is amazing.
“Our younger players coming through are constantly watching and learning from her, she’s such a role model.”
Fishlock said: "Best thing about this year was this award could’ve gone to any of those nominated. Everyone was a worthy winner. This league is just going to get better and better. I feel very proud to be amongst the players in this league.
"Thank you to my team mates. No team sport truly ever has individual awards .. My team mates deserve all the credit too. Cannot play this game alone."
Read more: Jess Fishlock, the woman who overcame the cruelty of ignorance to become a Welsh icon
Fishlock, who became the first Wales international footballer to reach 100 caps, is set to link up with her national side for their two World Cup qualifiers against Greece and France later this month.
The Champions League winner has been a mainstay at her Tacoma, Washington-based club since it became one of the eight inaugural league teams, and has populated her eight-year stint with several loan spells with the likes of Melbourne Victory, Lyon and Reading, where she spent some of last season to regain fitness for Wales duty following ACL surgery.
A list of five finalists for the award was decided after a preliminary round of voting by owners, general managers, coaches, players and media. In the final voting round, players had 50% of the say, owners/general managers/coaches had 20%, media had 20% and fans had 10%.
Fishlock is the eighth player to win the award, with previous winners including Scotland's Kim Little and Australia and Chelsea star Sam Kerr, from their team with Seattle Reign (now OL Reign) and Sky Blue FC respectively.
In addition to the league’s top accolade, Fishlock will receive a cash bonus from Budweiser to celebrate her efforts on the pitch this season.
