San Jose, CA (My Sportsbook) - San Jose midfielder Darren Huckerby, a former English Premier League player, was named Major League Soccer's Newcomer of the Year on Tuesday.

Huckerby joined San Jose in July and had six goals and four assists in just 14 games. He led the team in scoring despite playing less than half the season and earned the Earthquakes' Most Valuable Player award.

In Huckerby's first eight matches with the team, the Earthquakes posted a 4-0-4 record, part of the Quakes league-high, nine-game unbeaten streak. San Jose was 3-9-4 before Huckerby's arrival and finished the year with a 5-4-5 record after he joined the team.

"Darren had phenomenal run for us right from his arrival to the team," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said. "He brought an attacking mentality to our team that helped spark us on our run for the playoffs.

"His experience and professionalism were also great assets to the team this year. He is very deserving of this award."

The native of Nottingham, England, scored game-winning goals against the Kansas City Wizards and D.C. United and had three goals and one assist in September to win MLS Player of the Month.

Prior to his arrival in San Jose, Huckerby played in more than 200 matches and had 32 goals for Norwich City from 2003-08. He was a two-time Norwich Player of the Year and was named to Norwich Citys all-time Best XI.

In his pro soccer career - which spans back to 1993 - he appeared in games for Lincoln City, Newcastle, Millwall, Coventry City, Leeds United and Nottingham.

Huckerby is the second recipient of the Newcomer of the Year award, introduced last year to recognize the first-year player with previous pro experience (and therefore not eligible for Rookie of the Year) who made the biggest impact.