Manchester City Women forward Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw has won the PFA Women's Player of the Year award for the second time in her career. The Jamaican striker received the honour at the annual Professional Footballers' Association ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday, capping a remarkable individual season where she also secured a third consecutive WSL Golden Boot.
Shaw scored 21 goals in the Women's Super League last season, finishing eight clear of Arsenal's Alessia Russo in the scoring charts. Her goals were instrumental in Manchester City winning their second WSL title, a triumph that ended Chelsea's six-season hold on the trophy. The club also lifted the FA Cup for a fourth time, completing a domestic double. As of the final 2025 table, Manchester City finished first with 55 points from 22 games, scoring 62 goals and conceding just 19.
Who else was in contention for the award?
Shaw topped a six-player shortlist that featured several of the WSL's top performers. Her Manchester City teammate Yui Hasegawa was nominated, alongside Chelsea's Lauren James and Manchester United's Jess Park. Arsenal's Alessia Russo and Aston Villa's Kirsty Hanson completed the list of contenders. The award is voted for by fellow professional players, making Shaw's win a recognition from her peers across the league.
This victory places the 29-year-old Shaw among an elite group. She is only the third player to win the PFA Women's Player of the Year award more than once, joining Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr. Shaw first won the prize after the 2023-24 season. Her latest achievement was reported by ESPN.
What about the Young Player of the Year?
Arsenal's Olivia Smith won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award for the second year running. The 22-year-old Canadian midfielder made 38 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners last season, scoring 10 goals. One of those was a spectacular long-range strike on her debut against London City, which later earned her the WSL Goal of the Month award for September 2025.
Smith's profile has risen sharply since her record-breaking £1 million transfer from Liverpool to Arsenal last July. She is the only non-English player to have won the Young Player award. Her consistent performances also earned her a spot in the PFA Women's Team of the Year, alongside clubmates Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey. You can view the profiles of all award winners and contenders on our squad page.
How did Manchester City's season finish?
Manchester City's 2025 campaign was historically successful. They secured the WSL title with a four-point lead over runners-up Arsenal, finishing with a record of 18 wins, one draw, and three losses. Their recent form heading into the offseason was strong, with a sequence of WWLWW. This dominant league performance, combined with their FA Cup win, underscores the team's quality and depth.
The club's +43 goal difference highlights their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. With Shaw leading the line, City were the league's most potent force. Fans can review the full final standings and team statistics on our standings and stats pages.
What does this mean for the club's future?
Winning both major domestic trophies and having the league's top player sets a high standard for Manchester City. Shaw's individual award reflects the club's successful environment and ambition. As the new season approaches, the focus will be on maintaining this momentum and building on a championship-winning squad. The double-winning campaign provides a powerful platform for the future, with the team established as the one to beat in English women's football.
