MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 22: Luis Garcia of Liverpool (right) celebrates with teammate Harry Kewell during the FA Cup Semi-Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Old Trafford on April 22, 2006 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tommy Hindley/Professional Sport/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Harry Kewell had spells with Liverpool and Leeds in England (Picture: Getty)

Former Liverpool and Leeds United player Harry Kewell has been awarded the highest honour an Australia international can get, the Alex Tobin medal.

The accolade represents a kind of lifetime achievement award for Australian players with Mark Viduka and Mark Schwarzer former winners.

The award is decided by a player vote and Kewell will accept the honour at a gala event at the Crown Melbourne on December 6.

‘Even though I’ve been out of the game (as a player) for a couple of years, it’s nice to be considered,’ said Kewell.

Alex Tobin previous winners

2008 – Johnny Warren, Joe Marston
2009 – Craig Johnston
2011 – Mark Viduka
2012 – Frank Farina
2014 – Mark Schwarzer

‘There’s all these awards out there but when you win something voted by your peers, it’s special because they recognise what you’ve done in the game.

‘Like when I won the young player of the year (with Leeds in 1999-2000).

6 Dec 2001: Harry Kewell of Leeds United charges forward during the UEFA Cup third round second leg match against Grasshoppers played at Elland Road, in Leeds, England. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Leeds United winning 4-3 on aggregate. Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson /Allsport
Kewell began his career at Leeds United (Picture: Allsport)
Australia's midfielder Harry Kewell celebrates after he scored his team's first and only goal against Iraq in the second half of extra time during their 2011 Asian Cup quarter-final football match in the Qatari capital Doha on January 22, 2011. AFP PHOTO/MANAN VATSYAYANA (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)
Kewell played 56 times for Australia scoring 17 goals (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s not a willy-nilly voting system, they’ve thought about it and to receive this, it’s an honour.

‘To be up there with the likes of Johnny Warren, Craig Johnston, (Mark) Schwarzer and Mark Viduka, these are the icons of Australia that all the kids have looked up to.’

Kewell, 38, spent six years at Leeds helping them to a famous UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000 and then a Champions League semi-final in 2001.

What is the Alex Tobin award?

The PFA Alex Tobin OAM Medal is the players’ highest award.
Awarded annually by the PFA Executive to a current or former player who demonstrates four outstanding attributes: leadership; achievement as a player; commitment to one’s fellow professionals; and service and dedication to the game.

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Kewell reportedly turned down Barcelona and Chelsea to join Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

The Australian’s exploits as a youngster at Leeds helped him secure a big move to Liverpool, but frustratingly for Kewell, consistent serious injuries marred his time at Anfield, but he did earn a Champions League winners medal in 2005.

The left winger famously started the final against AC Milan, but was booed off by his own fans when he was substituted early in the first half and watched from the sidelines as Liverpool recorded a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down.

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