Ajax defender John Heitinga has been named as the Netherlands’ Player of the Year as speculation grows about a Ã‚â‚¬10m move to Club AtlÃƒÂ©tico de Madrid.
The 24-year-old Dutch international, who is regarded as a certain choice for the UEFA EURO 2008Ã‚â„¢ squad this summer, came out ahead of PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and SC Heerenveen winger Danijel PranjiÃƒÂ¦ in a ranking based on match ratings in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. He is the 27th player to win the award, and succeeds Afonso Alves Ã‚â€“ then of Heerenveen, now of Middlesbrough FC.