Yokohama F. Marinos defender Yuji Nakazawa was named J. League Player of the Year on Monday, two days after helping his side become league champions for the second consecutive season.
The fuzzy-haired 26-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding year both at club and international level and played a major role in helping Japan retain the Asian Cup in China in the summer.
"I'm absolutely delighted to receive this award and I think all of the Marinos players deserve it. Still, I don't mind accepting it on their behalf," a grinning Nakazawa said.
Yokohama manager Takeshi Okada won the Manager of the Year award for the second year running after guiding the first-stage winners to victory in the two-leg J. League Championship final against Urawa Reds.