FC Porto winger Yacine Brahimi was today announced as the winner of the BBC African Footballer of the Year Award 2014.
The Algerian has been a revelation since his summer switch from La Liga club Granada to northern Portugal. His scintillating dribbling and numerous assists and goals have made him a firm fans' favourite at the Estádio do Dragão.
Brahimi has been widely acknowledged as one of the best newcomers to the Primeira Liga in 2014/15 and he has shone even more brightly in the Champions League, scoring five goals in total in this season's competition, including a brilliant hat-trick in Porto's first group stage match against Bate Borisov.
Only last week club team-mate and Portugal winger Ricardo Quaresma told the press, "Brahimi is truly exceptional. He can become the best player in the world."
The award caps a memorable year for the 24-year-old, who was named the best African player in La Liga last season, then enjoyed a sparkling World Cup as Algeria reached the knockout phase for the first time in their history.
"I thank FC Porto," said Brahimi. "The club has allowed me to play in the Champions League, in big games and to express myself and to perform well on the pitch. I hope to achieve big things this year both with my national team and my club."
