Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has been named Footballer of the Year by sports writers in Germany for the first time.

Kroos, 28, was part of the Madrid side that claimed a third successive Champions League title and also won the UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and Club World Cup.

Despite a disappointing World Cup with Germany, Toni Kroos landed 185 of the 475 votes cast by the Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS), in conjunction with football magazine kicker. Freiburg striker Nils Petersen came second and Schalke defender Naldo finished third.

“It is and always will be an honour to be Footballer of the Year,” Kroos told kicker. “This is a prize that is not easy to get, and not everyone gets.”