Tottenham Hotspur forward Clint Dempsey has been named US Soccer's Male Athlete of the Year 2012.

Dempsey was the top scorer for the American national team with six goals in the calender year.

"I've been trying to better myself every year and do my part to help the team do well," he told US Soccer's official website.

"I want to thank the fans for voting for me. It's always great to be recognised for doing a good job, but at the same time it's been a team effort from all the players and the coaches."

The 29-year-old is the second player, after Kasey Keller, to claim the award three times.

Dempsey also collected the honour in 2007 and 2011.