Ajax defender John Heitinga has been named as the Netherlands' Player of the Year as speculation grows about a €10m move to Club Atlético de Madrid.
The 24-year-old Dutch international, who is regarded as a certain choice for the UEFA EURO 2008™ squad this summer, came out ahead of PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and SC Heerenveen winger Danijel Pranjiæ in a ranking based on match ratings in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. He is the 27th player to win the award, and succeeds Afonso Alves – then of Heerenveen, now of Middlesbrough FC.