Bruno Guimaraes is NE Football Writers' Association Player of the Year

Guimaraes is the 43rd winner of the prestigious award, and follows in the footsteps of his Magpies team-mate Allan Saint-Maximin, who was crowned in 2022.

Durham Women’s Sarah Robson is the winner of the Women’s Player of the Year award in recognition of another excellent year that has seen her impress on both the domestic and international stages.

Guimaraes was selected as the North-East’s standout performer for the last 12 months by members of the NEFWA, with Sunderland striker Ross Stewart finishing in second position and Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier third.

The Brazilian has made a huge impression on Tyneside since joining Newcastle in a £35m move from French Ligue 1 side Lyon last January.

He played a pivotal role in the Magpies’ successful survival battle in the second half of last season, scoring four goals in the space of six games towards the end of the campaign as Eddie Howe’s side eventually finished in 11th position.

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes

He has maintained his fine form this season, cementing a place at the heart of Howe’s first-choice midfield and impressing in both an attacking and defensive capacity.

He has claimed four goals and three assists during the current campaign, with his performances earning him a place in the Brazil squad for the World Cup finals in Qatar, where he made two appearances as his side reached the quarter-finals.

Robson is one of the linchpins of the Durham Women side that is currently sitting in ninth position in the FA Women’s Championship and last weekend progressed to the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Peterborough United.

The 35-year-old is in her seventh season with Durham and has enjoyed a landmark 12 months that saw her compete in last summer’s Women’s European Championships with Northern Ireland.

NEFWA secretary Colin Young said: “After another exciting year for North-East football, we’ve got three extremely worthy recipients of our awards.

“Bruno Guimaraes ended up being a clear winner of the main award, Anthony Patterson won the Young Player award after a brilliant 12 months with Sunderland and Sarah Robson’s Women’s Player of the Year award underlines the way in which Durham Women continue to be a great footballing story for the region.

"We’re looking forward to our winners getting their awards at our awards night in March, which is always a real highlight of the North-East footballing calendar.”

The NEFWA Awards Night will take place at the Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham, on Sunday, March 5. Ticket details are available by Emailing claire.stephen@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk or phoning 0191 386 5282.