Real Madrid's Champions League winner Toni Kroos has
been named German male footballer of the year for the first time,
organizers kicker magazine said on Sunday.
Germany's Dzsenifer Marozsan of Olympique Lyon was voted as German
female footballer of the year for the second straight year.
Kroos, who lifted the Champions League with Madrid in May for a
fourth European title overall, prevailed with 185 votes from sports
journalists ahead of Freiburg striker Nils Petersen (39 votes) and
Schalke's Brazilian defender Naldo (38).
Kroos, a rare bright spot as Germany crashed out of the World Cup
group stage as holders, was second last year behind former Bayern
Munich and Germany team-mate Philipp Lahm.
"Footballer of the year - that's a prize you do not get so easily -
and most importantly not everyone can win it," Kroos said in a
statement.
Jupp Heynckes was voted coach of the year for leading Bayern Munich
to the Bundesliga title in May before retiring.
dpa