Culina wins Gold Coast player of the year award

Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina has won the major award at Gold Coast United’s inaugural player of the year function. World Cup-bound Culina was named player of the year for his efforts in captaining the A-League expansion club to third place in the premiership.

The former PSV Eindhoven star played 26 games, scored three goals and laid on the highest number of goal assists in the competition with 10.

“Jason came back to Australia with an enormous reputation, which brought with it all sorts of different pressures,” said United coach Miron Bleiberg.

“He made a big decision career-wise and he has handled the expectation that was heaped on him like the true professional he is – letting his football do the talking.”

Defender Michael Thwaite was the other big winner on Monday night by collecting the players’ player of the year accolade and the members player of the season award.

A-League Golden Boot winner Shane Smeltz picked up the same honour for his club after registering 19 goals in 26 appearances.

Goal of the year went to nippy midfielder Zenon Caravella for his spectacular round 25 strike against Melbourne Victory – his only goal of the season.

Caravella also collected the most improved player award while Ivory Coast under 20 international Adama Traore received the sTar of the future award.

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