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Christian Eriksen named Danish Player of the Year for record third year in row

Tottenham's Christian Eriksen is the first footballer to be named Danish Player of the Year three years running, after pipping Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and Simon Kjaer to the 2015 accolade.

Eriksen's triumph was announced at a ceremony in Denmark on Saturday evening, hours before he scored Spurs' opening goal in Sunday's 2-2 FA Cup third-round draw against Leicester City.

The 23-year-old beat off competition from Schmeichel, who has starred in the Foxes's remarkable 2015, and Fenerbahce centre-back Kjaer.

A photo posted by Christian Eriksen (@chriseriksen8) on

He described the accolade, which is similar to one awarded by the English Professional Footballers' Association, as a 'huge honour' on his official Instagram page, and thanked his fellow professionals for voting.

The former Ajax playmaker scored eight goals for Spurs last year, including a brilliant double against Sheffield United in the League Cup semi-final second leg, sealing Spurs place in the Wembley final.

In October, he scored another spectacular brace, both free kicks, in the Premier League draw at Swansea but he has since failed to scored in the league, leading to criticism from some quarters.

Previous winners of the award include Peter Schmeichel, Kasper's father, and legendary midfielder Michael Laudrup.