Miroslav Klose has earned yet another honour punctually before the start of the 2006/2007 Bundesliga season. Last season top scorer in the league and 'Golden Boot' winner at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Klose has now also been voted "Footballer of the Year" by a clear majority of the selective group from 'Kicker' magazine, who present the annual award. 532 of the voting journalists gave Klose the nod. Way back in second place came German national and Arsenal FC goalkeeper Jens Lehmann with 82 nominations. Bronze went to FC Bayern full-back Phillip Lahm with 58 votes.

Miroslav Klose was delighted about the recognition: “That’s a massive honour for me. My personal goals were to become top scorer in the league and at the World Cup finals. I am delighted that such an honour as this has now also been bestowed upon me. It also goes down as recognition for the whole team, without whom this would not have been possible.”

Those surrounding Miroslav Klose accepted the news with great agreement. General manager Klaus Allofs commented: “ We are really proud that a member of our tea has been voted ‘Footballer of the Year.” Miroslav Klose absolutely deserved the honour. He proved himself worthy of it with his performances for Werder Bremen and the national team as well as for his conduct both on and off the field of play.”

Head coach Thomas Schaaf added: “That is a deserved award. Miro was the most noticeable player that the Bundesliga had to offer. His commitment, his whole personality are astounding. He is ambitious, hungry for success yet also a sympathetic and solid character at the same time.”

From this category, Klose follows previous Werder players into the history books with this award including Ailton, who took the prize in 2004 and Rudi Völler who won it back in 1983.

In the other categories there were no other Green-Whites to be found. “Trainer of the Year 2006” went to Jürgen Klinsmann (German national side) , ahead of Thomas Doll (HSV) and Jürgen Klopp (Mainz 05). In the ladies grouping, for the sixth year on the trot the top prize went to Birgit Prinz (1.FFC Frankfurt), followed by Conny Pohlers (Turbine Potsdam) and Steffi Jones (1. FFC Frankfurt).