The City attacking midfielder overwhelmingly topped the prestigious poll of more than 800 FWA Members, garnering more than 42 per cent of all votes cast, and finishing ahead of team-mate Rodrigo and Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
The Academy graduate follows in the illustrious footsteps of Club colleagues Erling Haaland, who won the coveted award last season, and Ruben Dias, who took the prestigious prize in 2021, with former City star Raheem Sterling having also claimed the plaudit back in 2019.
The award comes in the wake of what, by universal acclaim, has been the finest season of Foden’s glittering career to date.
It also comes on the same day Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was announced as the winner of the equivalent award in the women’s game.
23-year-old Foden has been at the heart of City’s superb form across the campaign with Pep Guardiola’s side still firmly in contention to lift both the Premier League and FA Cup, having already won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup titles earlier this season.
In accepting the award, Foden spoke of his immense pride and was also quick to acknowledge the help and support afforded him both by his City team-mates along with manager Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff.
“Being named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year is a huge honour. I’m very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my team-mates,” Foden said.
“We have a very special squad of players at City, and I’m privileged to be a part of that group.
“I want to thank all my team-mates as well as Pep and the coaches for all the support and advice they have given me.
“I strive to be the best that I can be every single day and that is all down to the way the manager and my colleagues always seek to improve and get better.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as well as my fellow nominees.
“I’m immensely proud to have won this award.
“Now I am focused on seeking to finish the season as strongly as possible and to try to help City win more trophies.”
Ever since making his City first team debut back in 2017, having emerged as one of the Academy’s brightest ever talents, Foden’s City career has been on a constant upward trajectory.
But by common consent he has hit new heights of both excellence and consistency across what has been a stellar 2023/24 campaign.
Foden has thrived both being deployed out wide as well as frequently operating in a more central attacking role.
To date he has contributed 24 goals across all competitions and 16 in the Premier League alone – both personal best tallies.
Meanwhile his brilliant brace in last week’s superb 4-0 win away at Brighton also brought up his 50th and 51st Premier League goals for the Club.
Guardiola has spoken of Foden having goals in his veins and possessing a footballing sixth gear while, for his part, team-mate Kevin De Bruyne has highlighted how Phil has gone up another level this term.
Despite his young age, Foden has already assembled a prodigious haul of silverware, having helped City to win five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields, a Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.
With City still in the hunt for both the Premier League and FA Cup there could be more trophies in the offing this term.
And, most encouragingly of all, at the age of 23 it’s no exaggeration to say that there is even more to come from a player hailed as one of the finest homegrown talents to emerge in England for many years.
Everyone at the Club congratulates Phil on his latest special accolade.
