Khadija "Bunny" Shaw is having a season for the ages—and now she has the hardware to prove it. The Manchester City forward has been named the Football Writers' Association women's player of the year for the 2025-26 season, marking her second win in three years. She joins an elite list of back-to-back winners, with Alessia Russo taking the honor in 2024-25 and finishing runner-up this time around. Chelsea's Lauren James rounded out the top three in a vote by the FWA's 900-plus members.
Shaw's individual brilliance is matched only by her team success. On Wednesday, she celebrated her first Women's Super League title after Arsenal dropped points to Brighton & Hove Albion. With 19 league goals this season—seven more than Aston Villa's Kirsty Hanson in second—Shaw is on pace for her third consecutive Golden Boot. Last season, she shared the award with Russo despite playing seven fewer games, a testament to her clinical finishing.
But Shaw's impact goes beyond the stat sheet. She's started every WSL game for City this year, tallying 19 goals and four assists as the club ended a decade-long title drought. Her season highlights include the fastest hat-trick in WSL history against Tottenham in March and a four-goal outburst against Aston Villa in December.
Off the pitch, Shaw's future is generating plenty of buzz. The Jamaica international's contract with City expires this summer, and negotiations for an extension have stalled. According to reports, Chelsea has already made a move, offering Shaw a £1 million ($1.4 million) per year deal.
At 29, Shaw is finally getting the recognition she deserves as a generational talent. Since arriving in the WSL in 2021 from Bordeaux, she has shed the label of a one-dimensional goal-scorer to become a complete forward. As clubs around the globe line up for her signature, Shaw is busy balancing silverware and personal accolades—and she's making it look effortless.
On the men's side, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes took home the FWA player of the year award.