Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling is happy to have been named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.

Sterling beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who won the PFA gong from his peers last week.

He said, "It's a massive achievement, a massive honour.

"To be recognised is always a lovely feeling, especially by the writers. It makes it even more special.

"It is an award that I will cherish, especially with the people that have won it before me so I am really, really glad and proud.

"As you get older, you mature and understand things much better and I think now people can see me for who I am."