Dimitri Payet’s outstanding form for West Ham United has been recognised with a prestigious honour at the 2016 London Football Awards.
Payet picked up the Premier League Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Battersea, following a hugely impressive opening eight months to his career in English football.
The No.27 beat off competition from Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Watford's Odion Ighalo, Chelsea's Willian Borges da Silva and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal to land the prize.
The Frenchman has caught the eye with his goalscoring ability and creative vision which have seen him become a cult hero at the Boleyn Ground this season.
Payet was thrilled to pick up the trophy and said: “It is of course an honour and a great joy for me to receive this award after only one season here.
“It’s the first time in my career that I have received a personal award like this. Last year, I won Best Passer in Ligue 1, but this is the first time I have been named best player.
“Being recognised like this after only one season here is particularly special, especially when I saw the nominations for this award. They are all great players and vital to each of their clubs, so that gives even more value to this award.
“I hope that this can be start of lots of trophies, especially for the team, because the team is always the most important. I would like to thank my sponsors, the club, the staff and above all the manager.”
Payet picked up the Premier League Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Battersea, following a hugely impressive opening eight months to his career in English football.
The No.27 beat off competition from Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Watford's Odion Ighalo, Chelsea's Willian Borges da Silva and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal to land the prize.
The Frenchman has caught the eye with his goalscoring ability and creative vision which have seen him become a cult hero at the Boleyn Ground this season.
Payet was thrilled to pick up the trophy and said: “It is of course an honour and a great joy for me to receive this award after only one season here.
“It’s the first time in my career that I have received a personal award like this. Last year, I won Best Passer in Ligue 1, but this is the first time I have been named best player.
“Being recognised like this after only one season here is particularly special, especially when I saw the nominations for this award. They are all great players and vital to each of their clubs, so that gives even more value to this award.
“I hope that this can be start of lots of trophies, especially for the team, because the team is always the most important. I would like to thank my sponsors, the club, the staff and above all the manager.”