Kim Little, of the Seattle Reign and Scotland Women's national team, has been named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. Little was nominated for the award along with Cameroon forward Gaelle Enganamouit, French midfielder Amandine Henry, United States and Houston Dash midfielder Carli Lloyd and United States and FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn.

Little surprised to win

"I'm surprised to win - I'm extremely humbled to win," Little said. "I think women's football is in a great place and I think especially in terms of the USA and where I'm playing right now, it is leading the way. I'm proud to have won this award and to stand up here for women's football and hopefully it will progress further."

Little nominated for second straight year

Kim Little during Seattle Reign's came against FC Kansas City | Brandon Farris - VAVEL USA
Kim Little during Seattle Reign's came against FC Kansas City | Brandon Farris - VAVEL USA

This is the second straight year that Little, 25, had been nominated for the award. Last year the award was won by Arsenal Ladies FC forward Asisat Oshoala. The Scotland international plays for the Seattle Reign of the NWSL and during last offseason she was loaned to Australian W-League’s Melbourne City. She scored nine goals in 12 games for Melbourne City. She helped lead them to the W-League Grand Final title and was named the Player of the Match for her goal in the 54th minute against Sydney FC in their 4-1 win on January 31, 2016.

Little leads Scotland in UEFA Women’s Euro 2017

Little will head back to her national team next week as they take on Iceland on June 3rd in Falkirk, Scotland and Belarus on June 7th in Minsk, Belarus. Scotland is currently in first place in their qualifying group with a record of 5-0-0 (15 points). Little has scored five of Scotland’s 27 goals in this qualifying round. She has the third most goals scored in qualifying.

Little arguably best player in NWSL

When Kim Little does things like this, it's hard to argue she is not one of the best
When Kim Little does things like this, it's hard to argue she is not one of the best.

Little took the NWSL by storm in 2014 after she joined the Reign. She was named NWSL MVP after she set the scoring record at 16 goals in season. In 2015, she was tied for second in goals scored with ten. So far in 2016, she has three goals to her name as Seattle has struggled a bit out of the gate. Currently Little and the Reign are sitting in sixth place with a record of 2-3-1 (W-L-T).

What’s next

Little and Seattle will take on her former club, Arsenal Ladies FC, on Thursday in an international friendly this coming Thursday, May 26. Seattle will return to NWSL action on Sunday as they head down Interstate 5 to take on the Portland Thorns.

quotes courtesy of BBC Sport.