Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez beats the likes of Aubameyang to be crowned African Football of the Year
Algerian scored 17 league goals and made 11 assists during Leicester's title-winning campaign
RIYAD MAHREZ has beaten the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to win the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The Foxes midfielder was outstanding last season and played a crucial part towards Leicester's remarkable Premier League winning campaign.
Fans from across the world voted from a number of world stars including Yaya Toure and Sadio Mane but the Algerian came out on top following his heroics.
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Mahrez scored 17 league goals and made 11 assists in the Premier League last season which sparked transfer interest from the likes of Arsenal.
the Leicester star revealed how proud he was to claim the award.
He said: "It means a lot, it's something big for African players so I am very happy, I am very proud.
"It's always good to receive awards and for African players it's a huge honour. To all the fans, thank you very much.
"I just have to carry on and keep going with my football and see what I can do."
Mahrez was also in the running to win the Ballon d'Or and managed to finish seventh ahead of the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Paul Pogba and his team-mate Jamie Vardy who finished eighth.
Unsurprisingly Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the world's best player for the fourth time.