Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has been named the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year after helping Manchester City secure their first Women’s Super League title in a decade.
City clinched the WSL title on Wednesday after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton left City’s eight-point lead at the top of the table unassailable. The Jamaica international scored 19 of City’s 58 goals and added four assists, and she is on course for a third consecutive Golden Boot, playing a key role in the club’s first domestic title since 2016.
Shaw previously won the same award for the 2023-24 season, when she scored 21 goals as City finished second. She has been at Manchester City since 2021 and has scored 110 goals in 133 appearances since joining from Bordeaux, per the report.
Last season’s winner Alessia Russo finished second in the voting, with Lauren James third despite missing a large chunk of the campaign through injury; the report notes the Chelsea forward returned in time for the League Cup final.
Despite Shaw’s role in City’s title, she is expected to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of her contract, sources told ESPN. The report says Shaw was close to agreeing a new deal earlier in the season but negotiations stalled after City were unable to match Chelsea’s offer — reportedly at least £1 million a year and a longer contract — leading to her impending exit. Chelsea are favourites to sign Shaw, per sources, with the report adding the club could be preparing for other departures, including Mayra Ramirez to Real Madrid and Sam Kerr leaving at the end of her contract.
