Egyptian Mohamed Salah has been voted BBC African Player of the Year for 2017, beating off competition from Senegal's Sadio Mane, Guinean Naby Keita, Victor Moses of Nigeria and Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Salah is Premier League's top scorer with 13 goals in 16 games and has enjoyed a superb year for both club and country.
At the start of 2017, he was a key player for Egypt as they finished runners-up at the African Cup of Nations, and he was involved in all seven of the goals that took his country to their first World Cup since 1990. He assisted two and scored five as the Pharaohs secured their place in Russia.
The 25-year-old's club form has been just as impressive, scoring 15 goals and assisting 11 others for Roma as they finished second in Serie A, before joining Liverpool and enjoying an electric start to his career at Anfield with a total of 19 goals in 24 games in all competitions.
"I am very happy to win this award," the Liverpool forward told 'BBC Sport'.
"It's always a special feeling when you win something. I feel like I had a great year, so I'm very happy.
"I want to be the best Egyptian ever so I work hard," added Salah, who is the third player from Egypt to win the award and the first since 2008.
"I always follow my own way and I want everyone in Egypt to follow my way.
"I would like to thank my Liverpool team-mates and I also had a good season with Roma so I have to thank my team-mates there and my team-mates in the national team.
"Since I came here, I wanted to work hard and show everyone my football. I wanted to come back to the Premier League since I left, so I am very happy," he added.