Yacine Brahimi wins BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2014

Yacine Brahimi’s top form for club and country has been acknowledged by fans

Yacine Brahimi of FC Porto, has been voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014. The award is voted by football fans and Brahimi is the first Algerian recipient of the prestigious award.

Brahimi was delighted upon receiving the award and he said, "It's a big honour for me to receive this wonderful trophy. I owe it to my country, Algeria, and to all the people who voted for me. It's also a trophy for the whole of Africa, because it rewards an African player. So I am really very happy.

"This trophy is going to give me more strength, more desire to work, to get better, to learn so that I can keep having great performances.

"First I won the award because of the people who voted for me. So once again I need to thank them.

"Then it's thanks for FC Porto - they allowed me to play in the Champions League, to play in big games and to have great performances. The club has allowed me to express myself and to perform well on the pitch."

He vowed to carry his form into the African Cup of Nations to be held in Equatorial Guinea, “The Africa Cup of Nations is also coming. There are big opportunities for me and I hope I'll be able to achieve big things this year both with my national team and my club.

"I'm sharing this trophy with my family, with all the African countries and with all the Algerians who have always supported me. Thanks again."

Brahimi beat the likes of Yaya Toure, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vincent Enyeama and Gervinho to win the coveted prize.

The 24-year-old was a star for Algeria as they reached the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time and secured a move to Portugese giants FC Porto from Spanish club Granada. He has settled quickly at the club and plundered 6 goals in 15 appearances for Porto since his €6.5 million move.

Previous year’s winner, Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast, took to Twitter to congratulate the Algerian.

Congratulations to Yacine Brahimi on winning BBC African Player of the Year. Thanks to those that voted for me. Appreciate your support.

— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) December 1, 2014