Bayern Munich and England forward Harry Kane has collected the Golden Shoe award as the top scorer in European football during the 2023-24 season.
Kane scored 36 goals during his debut campaign in the Bundesliga and is the first English striker to win the prize since Kevin Phillips in 2000.
The 31-year-old also become the third Bayern player to claim the Golden Shoe after two-time winners Gerd Muller and Robert Lewandowski.
Speaking at a ceremony in Bavaria, Kane said: “It’s a fantastic feeling. I can only thank the club, my team-mates. The award is for everyone – without you I wouldn’t be standing here.”
Created in the 1967-68 season, the Golden Shoe was previously awarded to the top scorer in any European league.
However, in 1997 the rules were changed to use a ranking format which favours players in higher-regarded leagues.
Lionel Messi is the only player to win the award six times, with Cristiano Ronaldo having collected it on four occasions and Erling Haaland having triumphed the season before Kane.
“It is something special that I am now mentioned in the same breath as these names,” Kane added.
While the England captain averaged a goal every 79 minutes in Germany’s top flight last season, Bayern ended it without collecting silverware for the first time since 2012.
And Kane, who is already up and running this term, after scoring in the German Cup against Ulm, added: “I want to continue on as I started last season, but it is important to win titles. We want to achieve success as a team.
“I feel very good and am looking forward to the new season. I sense a new energy and I’m looking forward to seeing where it leads.”
