Pernille Harder's list of achievements was nothing short of breath-taking last season in a campaign in which she won the German Women's Bundesliga - finishing as league top scorer in the process – as well as the DFB Cup and very nearly lifting the UEFA Women's Champions League title too. Now the VfL Wolfsburg attacker has another accolade to add to her collection after being voted UEFA Women's Player of the Year for 2017/18.
Dream come true
"I'm incredibly proud of this award and feel very honoured," the 25-year-old said. "It's been a dream of mine to win this ever since I was a child. I have to say a huge thank you to my family, my colleagues in the national team and of course everyone at VfL. Without the high quality of football we play at Wolfsburg I'd never have won this award. Many thanks to all the Wölfinnen for an outstanding season." Harder has laced her boots for Wolfsburg since January 2017 and at the start of this year the Denmark international extended her contract at the club until 2020. She is the second VfL player to be named as the continent's best player after Nadine Keßler in 2013/14.
Ralf Kellermann, VfL Ladies sporting director: "I'm delighted for Pernille. She's a worthy winner because last season she consistently showed once again that she's one of the most complete players in Europe. Furthermore, the award is a wonderful honour for the whole team because players like Pernille can only play to their absolute best in a side that works well together."
Stephan Lerch, VfL Ladies head coach: "It's fantastic news. Pernille had a great season. She's a real team player and stands out with qualities that I don't need to highlight again. I think she's taken her game to another level here with us. This award makes all of us here at VfL Wolfsburg very proud."
