Cote d’Ivoire captain, Yaya Toure, has been named BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2015.
The annual award, which recognises the performance of African players, is voted for by fans via SMS and online.
Toure, 32, guided his nation to their first African Cup of Nations title in 13 years in February – defeating the Black Stars of Ghana to the accolade.
The midfielder also had a superb campaign with Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League scoring 12 times last season.
Toure was chosen ahead of Algeria winger, Yacine Brahimi, Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ghana’s Andre Ayew and Sadio Mane of Senegal.
He joins Nigeria duo, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Okocha, as the third player to win the award twice – his first in 2013.
The player, who doubles as CAF African Footballer of the Year, expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and says he’s “proud” to receive the award.
“I am very proud. To receive this dedication from the fans is unbelievable,” Toure told BBC Sport.
“Also I want to pay tribute to the other nominees. African football is growing up, becoming much better and we have fantastic young players coming through now.”
Toure described all five nominees as “champions”.
He added: “I am delighted and very happy. And as an African player, I want to lead all my younger brothers to be successful in the future.
“When I was a kid I was always dreaming of being an important player. I have sacrificed a lot.
“I will continue to try to win a trophy every year, I will fight to win a personal trophy.”
FC Porto’s Brahimi won the award in 2014, while Zambia’s Chris Katongo and Ayew won the awards in 2012 and 2011 respectively.
