Both also receive the award for the first time.
"It's incredibly honorable to receive this prize. It feels really cool and I'm very happy to receive the award", says Björn to the football association's website.
The motivation:
"With finesse and smartness, Nathalie Björn continues to take new steps in her development, both in the club team and the national team. With more minutes as a center-back during the year, Nathalie Björn has, with her sharp offensive qualities, a fine game understanding, and a developed defensive game, taken new strides and delivered solid performances at the highest international level."
Björn left Everton for Chelsea, which gave her a boost.
"I think I've become a more complete player who has reached a better consistency during the year, a higher basic level, simply put", she says.
Isak Hien won the European Championship with his Atalanta and has been a regular in the national team's defense.
"It's been a really fun year. It started with the transfer directly in January to Atalanta. During the year, I've played a lot of matches, I've stayed injury-free, which has been nice after many years with some injuries. A new club environment, new teammates, and a new coach, but it felt like I adapted quickly", he says.
The motivation reads:
"Elastic and elegant in his powerful defensive play. Plays with authority and acts skillfully in duels, but is also fine in his ball handling. Can play with high risk-taking, but has great potential and has been instrumental when club team Atalanta won their first title in the European Championship. Has been a given in the Swedish defense, where he fits well into the national team's way of playing and acting."
