North African Football

Algerian maestro Riyad Mahrez crowned Leicester City player of the season by Club supporters

by
Collins Okinyo
May 11, 2016

Algerian maestro Riyad Mahrez took the top prize at Leicester City’s 2015/16 Season Awards after being crowned Player of the Season by the Club’s supporters.

This season the Foxes roared to a sensational Barclays Premier League title triumph against all the odds, with the performances of Mahrez helping to light up the most memorable campaign in Leicester City history.

With 17 Premier League strikes to his name along with 11 assists, the 25-year-old Algeria international’s display have been among the best ever seen in a blue shirt, and have played a key role in the team’s title win. He beat team-mates N’Golo Kanté and Jamie Vardy to the prize.

Mahrez told Foxes Player HD: “It feels good. It’s good to be voted for from the fans. I want to thank them all and I love all the Leicester fans because they are great supporters. I’m very happy. We just know we’ve done something crazy – something unbelievable.

“For myself first, the goals I scored for the team, all the wins. The Aston Villa win when we were 2-0 down and we won 3-2, and the Manchester City win away.

“The stadium is very amazing. The fans are close to us and I feel very good here to play. I just want to say thank you to all the fans – I hope they support us every year.”

Plucked from relative obscurity from Le Havre in the French second tier in January 2014, Mahrez joined the Foxes as they marched to the Championship title later that season.

He showed flashes of his brilliant best as the team earned survival during a return to the top flight last term, before really hitting the ground running under Claudio Ranieri in a campaign that would see him give the Foxes dozens of priceless memories.

His season has included a hat-trick against Swansea, a show stopping winner at home to Chelsea, a stunner at Manchester City, a breath taking assist at home to Stoke City as well as countless other moments that have made the Blue Army marvel.

It was a night to remember for all involved, as the entire squad gathered in the Walkers Hall at King Power Stadium to recognise what has been a remarkable achievement that resonates not just around Leicester, but around the world.

Leicester City supporter and BBC presenter Manish Bhasin hosted the event, which served as an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the entire Club – from first team to Academy level.

Additional reporting by Leicester Website

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Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com