Harry Kane named Germany’s Player of the Year for 2025-26

Harry Kane has been voted Germany’s Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season after an award organised by German football magazine kicker.

The Bayern Munich striker finished ahead of team-mate Michael Olise and Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav in the poll, which recognises players competing in the Bundesliga as well as German players based outside the country.

Kane succeeds Florian Wirtz, who won the award for the 2024-25 campaign while at Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz has since moved to Liverpool.

The England international will receive his award before Bayern Munich’s opening Bundesliga match of the season against Stuttgart on Friday.

Kane’s selection places him at the top of a vote that includes players from across German football, rather than being limited to German nationals. The award is also open to German players who are playing abroad, ensuring that the annual honour covers both those active in the Bundesliga and those representing clubs outside Germany.

His victory follows Wirtz’s success in the previous season. Wirtz collected the prize during his time with Bayer Leverkusen before his transfer to Liverpool, leaving Kane as the latest winner from Bayern Munich.

Kane was recognised ahead of two players with a direct connection to his club’s domestic campaign. Olise, his Bayern Munich team-mate, finished behind him, while Undav, who plays for Stuttgart, was also among the leading candidates.

The timing of the presentation means Kane will receive the honour on the opening weekend of the new Bundesliga season. He will be presented with the prize before Bayern Munich face Stuttgart on Friday, giving the match an additional ceremonial moment before the league campaign begins.

kicker also named Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany as its Coach of the Season for 2025-26.

The coaching poll follows the same broad eligibility principle as the players’ vote. It includes German coaches and managers working in Germany, meaning the award considers coaches from within the country’s football system as well as German coaches employed elsewhere.

Kompany’s award gives Bayern Munich both of the individual honours announced by kicker: Kane has been selected as the leading player, while his manager has been named the outstanding coach.

The awards therefore provide recognition for Bayern Munich ahead of the club’s first Bundesliga fixture of the season. Kane will collect his prize before the meeting with Stuttgart, while Kompany’s selection completes the magazine’s honours for the campaign.

Wirtz was the previous recipient of the players’ award after his 2024-25 season with Bayer Leverkusen. Following his move to Liverpool, Kane has now taken over as Germany’s Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season, with Olise and Undav completing the players’ leading three.