Mohamed Salah named BBC African footballer of the year

Egypt star, Mohamed Salah has been voted BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2017, beating 4 other finalist to the individual award on Monday.

Following a record number of votes, the Egyptian was voted ahead of fellow Senegalese, Liverpool teammate, Saido Mane, Nigerian Victor Moses of Chelsea, Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Dortmund and Guinean Naby Keita.

Congrats to Mohamed Salah who was named BBC African Footballer of the Year 2017 earlier today 👉 https://t.co/0fN26fRdWd pic.twitter.com/gd0yiUgGys

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 11, 2017

I am very happy to win this award. It's always a special feeling when you win something, Salah said.

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. 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.

Very proud to have won this prestigious award for best African player, and joining the ranks of many great players who won it before me. pic.twitter.com/jgqrCHcLWl

— Mohamed Salah (@22mosalah) December 11, 2017

Salah, is currently the Premier League's top scorer with 13 goals, and has enjoyed a stellar year for both club and country this year.

Final outcome of the vote

1. Mohamed Salah
2. Sadio Mane
3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
4. Victor Moses
5. Naby Keita

Previous winners

2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City & Algeria)

2015: Yaya Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast)

2014: Yacine Brahimi (Porto & Algeria)

2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City & Ivory Coast)

2012: Chris Katongo (Henan Construction & Zambia)

2011: Andre Ayew (Marseille & Ghana)

2010: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana)

2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast)

2008: Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly & Egypt)

2007: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal & Togo)

2006: Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana)

2005: Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly & Egypt)

2004: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)

2003: Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)

2002: El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool & Senegal)

2001: Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich & Ghana)

2000: Patrick Mboma (Parma & Cameroon)