Robben wins German best player award

Bayern München’s Dutch star winger Arjen Robben was named footballer of the 2009/10 Bundesliga season by sporting magazine Kicker on Sunday.

The 26-year-old – who is due to miss the next two months owing to a thigh muscle injury which has provoked a major row between his club and his national federation – saw off three clubmates in the voting by sports journalists.

Robben – who was a major influence as the Dutch reached the World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain – received 445 votes while German international midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Mueller and German captain Philipp Lahm got 180, 118 and 35 votes respectively.

Robben, who staged an amazing recovery from his initial injury in the final warm-up match prior to the finals to start in all the knockout stage matches, was outstanding as Bayern did the domestic double and reached the Champions League final last season.

Compatriot and Bayern coach Louis van Gaal was voted coach of the season.