Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw has been named the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer of the Year, marking her second victory in the award.
The Jamaican forward is poised to claim her third consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot, having netted 19 goals in 21 appearances, with newly crowned champions City having one league match left.
Shaw, 29, who joined City in 2021, needs just one more goal to become the first player in WSL history to score 20 or more goals in three separate seasons.
She previously won the FWA award for the 2023–24 season. In this year’s vote, she secured a decisive victory, with Arsenal’s Alessia Russo—last year’s winner—finishing second, and Chelsea’s Lauren James placing third.
Shaw is expected to leave Manchester City this summer after contract talks broke down. Chelsea, who won six consecutive titles before City’s recent triumph, are favorites to sign her. Reports indicate Chelsea has offered at least one additional year on her contract compared to City’s proposal, with a potential salary of up to £1 million annually.
Although Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has not commented directly on Shaw, she confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that signing a number nine is a top priority.
City head coach Andree Jeglertz said on Friday, “I still hope she signs a new contract with Manchester City, absolutely, but that’s a discussion for the player and club officials. Right now, our focus is on enjoying her presence and her full commitment to the team.”
City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday (15:30 BST), with the winner advancing to face either Liverpool or Brighton at Wembley on 31 May.
Analysis: Is global recognition on the horizon?
Shaw’s prolific scoring has established her as one of the world’s elite strikers, attracting interest from multiple clubs. With her contract expiring, Chelsea are strong contenders to sign her on a free transfer. Losing their star forward would be a major setback for City, given her match-winning ability and the fear she instills in opponents.
In previous seasons, Shaw’s injuries derailed City’s title bids, contrasting sharply with this campaign where she has started all 21 WSL matches. Highlights include a hat-trick against Tottenham in March and a four-goal performance against Aston Villa in December.
Teammate Sam Coffey described Shaw as “a player in a video game” due to her dominance over defenders and ease of scoring. If Shaw can showcase her talents in the Women’s Champions League next season, her achievements—previously overlooked in Ballon d’Or voting—may gain broader international recognition.
Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie are returning for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus interviews and extra content from the WSL and beyond on the Women’s Football Weekly feed.