The BWSL Player of the Year is confirmed

Khadija Shaw caps a remarkable campaign with another individual award, and she’s named the Barclays Player of the Season

Manchester City fans were singing her name during their side’s 4-1 win against West Ham United on the last day of the season, not only because they want the Jamaican striker to stay beyond her contract expiry this summer, but also in recognition of her remarkable efforts this season.

Put simply, Shaw was front and centre of City’s league title win. She finished the division’s top striker for the third season in a row, and was simply unstoppable from start to finish. Her two goals against the Hammers took her tally to 21 in the BWSL, the same tally that saw her win the award two years ago, and nine clear of Kirsty Hanson in second place.

The 2025-26 campaign was the fourth season in a row that Shaw netted double figures. She also became the first player to score 20 or more goals in three separate seasons in the BWSL. She had more shots than anyone else (almost double Kirsty Hanson in second place), hit the target more than anyone else, and her xG was higher than anyone else. By some distance. She scored against every single team she faced.

You get the picture. First. Best. Most prolific. Unstoppable.

Crucially for Shaw, and City, was that this was the first time in three seasons that the Jamaican international had managed to stay injury free, and her consistency made the difference as City won a first league title in ten years.The striker’s standout displays included a four-goal haul against Aston Villa in December and a hat-trick against Tottenham back in March.

There were quick goals, acrobatic goals, poacher’s goals and scrappy goals. Diving headers, equalisers, winners, left foot, right foot….

Fans will no doubt debate which was her best. Among them, surely, will be her right-footed effort against London City Lionesses, her 101st goal for City. She cut back onto her ‘weaker foot’, sending her opposing defender for a hot dog in the process, before finishing into the bottom corner.

“Bunny has scored so many goals for this club in so many years and this season also. She has shown she is a great player but also a great team-mate,” said manager Andree Jeglertz.

“It’s been a special season for us all and to deliver the Barclays Women’s Super League to our supporters has been one of the proudest moments of my career,” Shaw told City’s official website.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our fans and I wouldn’t have experienced the amazing personal moments this season without my teammates’ support, either.”

Word Credit: Nick Judd