Sane named North Rhine-Westphalia Footballer of the Year
FC Schalke 04's latest shooting star Leroy Sane has won the prestigious FELIX award of North Rhine-Westphalia's footballer of the year for 2015.
Spectacular year
The 19-year-old earned more votes (44,891) than anybody else in a poll conducted online among 141,000 football fans from throughout Germany's most populous region, edging out Borussia Mönchengladbach's Patrick Herrmann with, who garnered 39,532 votes. Third place was taken by 1. FC Köln's Jonas Hector with 24,525 votes.
The accolade crowns a spectacular year for Sane, who won the U-19 league title with the Royal Blues and represented his country at the same level in the UEFA European Championship. His stunning goal against Real Madrid CF in the 4-3 UEFA Champions League win in Spain also marked his arrival on the world stage.
There are seven categories within the FELIX award, which is presented by the regional government.
