Liverpool Ladies defender Lucy Bronze has spoken of her pride at winning the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year award, thanking her teammates for assisting her to win the prestigious title in London on Sunday evening.

The No.6 was crowned the winner after edging out Reds colleagues Natasha Dowie and Nicole Rolser as well as Kim Little (Arsenal), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal) and Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy) to the prize.

Bronze said: "I'm really honoured and privileged to have won such a prestigious award. Just to be nominated was fantastic, but to win it was absolutely unbelievable.

"I would like to thank all those players that voted for me, as to receive this award from my fellow peers makes it extra special."

Bronze was overwhelmed to be named the recipient of the accolade, which was voted for by her fellow footballers and capped off a fine year both individually for the defender and as a team for Liverpool.

She continued: "I am still in shock to have won the award as I presumed that someone like Kim Little or Natasha would win it, so I'm still surprised by the result.

"To win the award has capped off a fantastic year for both myself and Liverpool, which was highlighted with so many Liverpool players being voted into the team of the year.

"Last season I was lucky to be part of a really special team and the fact I have won the award is down to the team itself as much as it is to me individually."

The reigning Women's Super League champions face Sunderland Ladies on Saturday in the Continental Cup, a tie which will see Bronze go up against her childhood side in what promises to be another tough game against the Black Cats.

"We recently played Sunderland in the FA Cup and won 2-0 at the Hetton Centre but it was an extremely tough game against a good side," Bronze added.

"They have since won their opening three WSL 2 games as well as their first Continental Cup game, so they will provide us with a stern test.

"They have some outstanding young players in their side - such as the likes of Beth Mead and Abbey Joice, alongside players like Rachel Furness, who often gets overlooked but is a key player for them - so we will have to be at our best to beat them."

The Ladies' clash against Sunderland will kick off at 6.30pm BST at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes, with tickets priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 concessions. Click here to visit the Ladies' official website.