Harry Kane has been voted Germany’s footballer of the year for 2026, becoming the first Englishman to win the award.
The Bayern Munich striker scored 61 goals in all competitions last season as his side completed a league and cup double and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Bundesliga players or German players playing abroad are eligible for the award, which is organised by Kicker magazine and voted for by 695 members of the German sports journalists association.
Kane received 272 votes, with Bayern team-mate Michael Olise – runner-up in 2025 behind Florian Wirtz – again second, this time with 203 votes
“It’s almost impossible to find the right superlatives to describe Harry Kane – sometimes I’m at a loss for words,” Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said.
“He’s already been named England’s Footballer of the Year, and now he’s also won it in Germany.”
The England captain is among the favourites to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in London in October. If he wins, he will become the second English player to receive the honour while representing a German club, joining Kevin Keegan who won in 1978 and ’79 while playing for Hamburg.
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany was named coach of the year, while their women’s captain Giulia Gwinn won the award for best female player.
Kane and Kompany will be honoured on Friday at Bayern’s Bundesliga opener against VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern began their season with silverware on Saturday as they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the German Super Cup.
On Wednesday, Kane received the 2026 Golden Shoe award for being the top scorer across Europe’s top leagues last season.
