LONDON: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was named England’s Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) on Monday, completing an award double after taking the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) accolade last month.

The 27-year-old Uruguayan amassed 52 percent of the votes of more than 300 journalists, ahead of teammate Steven Gerrard and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and will receive the FWA award, which has been running since 1948 at a gala dinner at London’s Lancaster Hotel on May 15.

Suarez’s honours come at the end of a season when his scoring prowess has helped to erase memories of previous bans for racism and biting in Premier League matches.

He missed the first five league games of the season when he was serving the remainder of a 10-match ban imposed for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last April.

FWA chairman Andy Dunn, of the Sunday Mirror, said: “Those members who have been fortunate enough to be working at a match involving Luis Suarez have witnessed an astonishing talent first-hand.

“Tireless endeavour allied to extraordinary imagination makes an irresistible combination. Add ingenious, impudent finishing and you have a footballer who truly quickens the pulse. Luis is a remarkably gifted addition to the long and distinguished list of winners of our award.”