Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been crowned the BBC's African Footballer of the Year 2017.
The 25-year-old has scooped the gong for his scintillating form in front of goal, having contributed 19 strikes in all competitions for the Reds so far this season.
Salah, who signed for the Merseyside outfit from Roma for around £34m in the summer, was also a key figure in Egypt qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
"I'm very happy to win this award, it's a special feeling for me," the former Chelsea star told BBC Sport. "I'd like to thank everybody; my teammates and the people I work with.
"I am very happy here at the club, I've had a very good start here. Also the manager [Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp] has helped me to settle into the team.
"Last season I had a very good season with Roma, so I need to thank my teammates [there] and also my teammates in the national team. The people I work with are very professional and I'm happy with them. [Now] I'd also like to win it next year."
Salah's Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane was also in the running for the award, alongside RB Leipzig's Naby Keita, Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Chelsea's Victor Moses.
The winner is currently the Premier League's top scorer with 13 goals.
Danielle Joynson
