West Ham star Dimitri Payet has been announced as the Premier League Player of the Year at the 2016 London Football Awards.
The influential midfielder has been the catalyst for nearly everything good about Slaven Bilic’s first season at the helm of the Hammers and has been rewarded for his remarkable campaign.
The award ceremony took place on Thursday evening in Battersea, where a panel of journalists, former players and representatives from London’s 15 clubs decided Payet was their man for this year’s gong.
Twitter: .@dimpayet17 has been named London Premier League Player of the Year #LFA16
https://t.co/Txum4ijVMb (@whufc_official)
Such has been his impact in England during his debut term, the Frenchman pipped Hary Kane, Willian, Odion Ighalo and Mesut Ozil to the award.
Twitter: So it’s official, @dimpayet17 is better than @MesutOzil1088
#LFA16 https://t.co/kPu2qLN87E (@whufc_official)
Speaking about the prize, Payet 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.
The Hammers received the London Community Project of the Year award for their fantastic work with the Moore Family Foundation Project.
Both awards capped a great night for West Ham.
