Thierry Henry has been named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.

The Arsenal striker beat off competition from Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy to complete a prestigious treble, after winning the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday and the PFA Fans' player of the Year award.

Henry is the fourth Frenchman to lift the award, following in the footsteps of Eric Cantona, David Ginola and last year's winner, Robert Pires. He is also the 11th player to win both the PFA and FWA trophies in the same season.

A total of 13 different players received votes from the football writers. Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer came third, Gianfranco Zola of Chelsea was fourth, and Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira finished fifth.

Henry will be presented with his trophy at the FWA's annual dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on May 15.

Gerry Cox, chairman of the FWA, said: "Thierry Henry is a worthy winner who has scored some magnificent goals this season and made another massive contribution to Arsenal's season.

"Henry made all the early running when the poll opened, but was challenged by van Nistelrooy in a race which mirrored Arsenal and Manchester United's fight for the title."

The FWA award has been running since Stanley Matthews became the first winner in 1948.