American Clint Dempsey finished fourth Tuesday in voting for 2012 Footballer of the Year by England's soccer writers.

The 29-year-old from Nacogdoches, Texas, has scored a career-best 22 goals for Fulham this season, including 16 in the Premier League. He plays both midfield and forward.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie won Footballer of the Year in voting by about 400 reporters of the Football Writers' Association. He leads the league with 27 goals and has 34 in all competitions.

He was followed in the voting by Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.

Van Persie was voted the Professional Footballers' Association's Player of the Year on Sunday.

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