The Algeria international has scooped the
prestigious award after a phenomenal season that
has seen him score 17 times, with 11 assists, to
help Leicester to the top of the table
Riyad Mahrez has been named the PFA Player of
the Year for 2016 seeing off competition from
Leicester City team-mates Jamie Vardy and N'Golo
Kante and Tottenham's Harry Kane to scoop the
prize.
The Algeria international has been inspirational for
Claudio Ranieri's side this season with his 17th goal
of the season on Sunday helping them move eight
points clear at the top of the table after a 4-0 win
over Swansea City.
Mahrez has also contributed 11 assists for the
Foxes, who remain hot favourites to win their first
ever Premier League title with just three games left
to play.
The Algeria international's Leicester team-mate
Jamie Vardy came second in the vote with
Tottenham striker Harry Kane finishing third.
"It's extra special because if the players vote for
me it's because they've seen I've been great this
year so I'm happy," said Mahrez on accepting the
award.
"Without my team-mates I wouldn't get this award.
We are like brothers, it's everywhere on the pitch.
That's our strength.
"If sometimes we are not good, we know we are
going to run and make the effort for our team-
mates. That is the secret of our success."
READ MORE | Ranieri urges Leicester
to finish the job
Mahrez is Leicester's first-ever winner of the
award and also makes history by becoming the
first African player to pick up the accolade.
The 25-year-old Algeria international is also the
first winner not to play for Arsenal, Chelsea,
Liverpool, Tottenham or Manchester United since
Newcastle United's Alan Shearer in 1997.
Elsewhere, Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli was
named Young Player of the Year, Jamie Vardy
received an award to recognise his record 11-game
Premier Leageue goalscoring streak and Ryan Giggs
received the PFA Merit Award.
