Mark Schwarzer has been named Australian Footballer of the Year at the inaugural Australian Football Awards function. The Fulham and Socceroos goalkeeper capped off a stellar season by winning the award.

The award is voted on by FFA Board members, FFA CEO Ben Buckley, and media representatives from News Ltd, Fairfax and football magazine 442.

Schwarzer's season consisted of helping Fulham to its best ever Premier League finish of seventh in just his first term at the club and guiding the Socceroos to next year's World Cup by keeping nine consecutive clean sheets, seven of which have come in the final qualifying round.

The 36-year old was also awarded Australia's professional footballer of the year by the Football Media Association.