Tottenham’s Gareth Bale has been named Professional Football Association’s player and young player of the year—becoming only the third player ever to win the double accolade.

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale in full flight

Bale has enjoyed a fantastic season for Spurs, scoring 19 times in the Premier League and 14 goals in 17 matches since the turn of the year. The Welshman follows Cristiano Ronaldo in winning both awards in the same year. In his run to winning the award, his performances have lifted him into the conversation as one of the top footballers and most sought after players on the planet.

Bale beat off competition from top performers Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie to win the prestigious award for the second time in three years, joining the exclusive list of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry and Ronaldo as those who have won the award twice.

Bale also made the PFA team of the year, which included four players from Manchester United, the Premier League champions. His Tottenham team-mate Jan Vertonghen was named in defence alongside Rio Ferdinand, Leighton Baines and Pablo Zabaleta, with David de Gea as goalkeeper. Van Persie and Suárez were selected in attack, with Carrick, Hazard and Mata in midfield.

On receiving the award, the 23-year-old, thanked his Tottenham manager, André Villas-Boas, and admitted he was “extremely proud”. “It’s a massive honour. To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It’s great to win it and I am delighted”.