Player of the Season

The Player of the Season award for the 2005/06 campaign has gone to Mikel Arteta.

The prize, voted for here on evertonfc.com, was presented to the Spanish midfielder at Tuesday night's prestigious ceremony at Goodison Park.

Hundreds of Evertonians, David Moyes and his first team squad and a host of heroes from the great sides of the past were present to see Mikel receive his prize.

Signed on a permanent basis from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2005, Arteta enjoyed a remarkable first full season in the Premiership after impressing during a six month loan spell at the end of the 2004/05 campaign.

He was delighted to receive his prize, saying: "I need to say thankyou to everybody at the club. I feel very comfortable in this city and very happy at the club.

"I would like to thank the supporters for giving me this award. It means a lot."

Everton Giant Peter Reid presented the award. He, like many others, has been hugely impressed by Mikel Arteta during the 2005/06 campaign.

He said: "He is a player who has impressed me with his ability on the ball and this is a fitting award.

"When you are out there and you are getting stuck into tackles people say you are brave. But you have to be really brave to have the football, to want the football and to work the football. That is what this player does.

"He also has strength and he can spot a pass. Mikel Arteta has impressed me a lot."