Ryan Giggs's confirmation as this season's PFA Player of the Year at the age of 35 is surprisingly the first time he has won the award.

Here we take a look at some of the Welshman's career highlights on and off the field.

FA Cup semi-final replay v Arsenal - 1999

The Manchester United winger's goal against the Gunners in the cup replay at Villa Park remains arguably one of the best individual efforts of all-time.

Picking the ball up inside his own half, a fleet-footed Giggs left the famous Arsenal back four in his wake before burying an unstoppable shot past a stunned David Seaman in goal.

While the goal received endless replays, the wild celebrations that saw Giggs reveal his hairy torso gained almost as many column inches the following day.

Champions League group stages v Juventus - 1997

Giggs's goal in a 3-2 win against the Italian giants in Europe's top club competition was another stunner.

After Alessandro Del Piero had silenced the Old Trafford crowd with an early goal, the home side roared back with strikes from Teddy Sheringham (on his Champions League debut) and Paul Scholes.

However, it was the wing wonder's brilliant effort as he jinked his way past the Juve defence in the 89th minute and fired home that truly broke the visitors' spirit.

Six years later Giggs promptly repeated the trick with another fine solo effort against Juve in Turin.

Being made captain of Wales – 2004

Despite turning out for the England schoolboys side as youngster, Giggs eventually tied his allegiances to Wales and upset the majority of England in the process, including former United legend Sir Bobby Charlton who once mused: 'If only he'd have played for England.'

Giggs made his Welsh debut way back in 1991 and made 64 appearances spanning 16 years before his retirement in June 2007.

Three years earlier John Toshack had given him the ultimate honour of captaining his country but he was unable to inspire them into qualifying for a major tournament, a fact that come the end of his playing days, may well be the star's only regret of an outstanding career.

However, his time with Wales was often blighted by fans frustration that he only seemed to turn out for his country in the really big matches.

He frequently pulled out of friendly matches through injury and is estimated to have missed around 50 games.

Somewhat poetically, Giggs's final game saw him named man of the match in a goalless draw against the Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Being made an OBE - 2007

His performances on the pitch for United led to deserved recognition off it when he was awarded the OBE two years ago for services to football.

After receiving the honour at Buckingham Palace, Giggs said he had been more nervous meeting the Queen than he had ever been in any football match.

Winning PFA Player of the Year - 2009

The latest accolade to be bestowed on the Welshman came despite him starting just 12 matches this season.

The award has been seen by some observers as a sympathetic one, and this looks to a large extent to be true. Nevertheless, there can be no doubting that the player deserved it... just many years earlier.