Robbie Kruse was on Wednesday night crowned the Professional Footballers' Australia Footballer of the Year for 2013.
The Bayer Leverkusen winger became the youngest player to win the award as he added it to the Harry Kewell Medal he picked up two years ago for best player under 23.
Kruse, who joined Leverkusen from Fortuna Dusseldorf in April this year, was grateful to the A-League where he played with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory prior to his 2011 move to Germany.
"It's a good progression in my career, it obviously shows the A-League is a wonderful stepping stone as well," Kruse said.
