Ajax’s Romanian international defender Cristian Chivu has been named Dutch Player of the Year.

Journalists voted Chivu the De Eredivisie’s best player over the last 12 months with NAC Breda midfielder Alfred Schreuder runner-up and third place going jointly to former Heerenveen striker Marcus Allback and Utrecht’s Dirk Kuyt.

The Young Player of the Year award award was picked up by Ajax’s highly-rated youngster Rafael van der Vaart.

Feyenoord’s Pierre van Hooijdonk collected the golden boot for his 24 goals last season.