PFA to honour Viduka

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Former Socceroos captain Mark Viduka will become just the fourth player to be awarded the prestigious PFA Alex Tobin Medal in February.

The award, struck by the players union, is given to those who have made significant contribution in the game in four key attributes throughout their careers, leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to one-s fellow professionals and service and dedication to the game.

At a gala ceremony on February 14, Viduka, who retired from football in 2009 and last played for the Socceroos in 2007 Asian Cup, will join Johnny Warren, Joe Marston and Craig Johnston and winners of the award.

PFA president Simon Colosimo said that Viduka's contribution to the game was about more than just scoring goals and winning games.

"I was lucky enough to play with Mark when he was an overage player at the Sydney Olympic Games and that was the first instance of playing with him and there was that wow factor then. The training and the level of football changed," Colosimo said.

"As a young kid, he would approach you, that's how good he was for the younger generation. He'd come and have a chat and you-d be overawed by it. He's just so down to earth."

Viduka's character and composure under pressure was also praised by Colosimo.

"(When playing for Australia) He was always under scrutiny from the media, that he doesn-t score enough goals, doesn't do this, doesn-t do that but ask every player who has ever played with him and they-ll tell you he was the most important player in the team," he said.

"He'll play for the team. He may not score as many goals as he deserved to score but he was definitely that one player."

Colosimo said that Viduka still had an aura about him and that his presence still made younger players feel special.

"He was at training at Melbourne Heart yesterday, and when he turns up, there's that tingling feeling of there's a great in front of us," he said.

"We know how much it meant for us to play for Australia, to play for his country. The passion and desire he showed when he played was second to none."

PFA Chief Executive Brendan Schwab said Viduka's development into one of Australian football's greatest-ever players was a shining example to younger players coming through.

"He progressed through the Australian career pathway: the AIS, the old National Soccer League with the Melbourne Knights and Europe, excelling in Croatia, Scotland and England," he said.

"Mark also captained both the Young Socceroos and Socceroos, including leading Australia to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany."

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