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Brazilian striker Ailton
has become the first foreigner to be voted German player of the year
after his goals helped Werder Bremen win the Bundesliga and German Cup
titles last season.
The 31-year-old, who was the German first division's top scorer with 28
goals, won a vote by sports journalists for the soccer magazine Kicker
to be released on Thursday.
Ailton, who has since joined Werder rivals Schalke 04, won 216 of the
712 votes cast.
VfB Stuttgart left back Philipp Lahm, one of few players to shine for
the German national side at Euro 2004, came second with 172. Last year's
winner Michael Ballack was third with 63.
Werder's Thomas Schaat was named coach of the year, ahead of Peter
Neururer, who steered VfL Bochum to a commendable fifth place in the
Bundesliga, and third-place Otto Rehhagel, architect of Greece's Euro
2004 success.
Kicker has conducted its vote since 1960. |
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