Brahimi named African Footballer of the Year

Porto star Yacine Brahimi has been named 2014 BBC African Footballer of the Year.

The midfielder came out on top of the voting on the back of his displays Algeria, which he helped to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time, as fans from 207 FIFA-registered countries placed their votes.

Brahimi saw off competition from Nigeria star Vincent Enyeama, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang of Gabon and the Ivory Coast duo of Yaya Toure — last year's winner — and Gervinho.

"It's a great honor for me to receive this award," he told Porto's official website. "I want to dedicate the award to Algeria and all of the other African nations. 2014 has been a great year for me and now I will strive to evolve and win trophies for my club Porto."

Brahimi began 2014 in La Liga with Granada, with his performances alerting the Portuguese giants, who promptly sealed a reported 6.5 million euro deal for the player in July.

Since arriving in Portugal, the 24-year-old has scored six goals in 15 appearances, including a hat trick in his side's opening Champions League group stage clash with BATE Borisov.

"I have to thank my new club, the players playing with me, the coach and the staff," he added.

Brahimi becomes the first Algerian player to be named African Footballer of the Year and joins an illustrious band of elite names who have lifted the famous prize.

The likes of George Weah, Jay-Jay Okocha, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o are all previous winners, with the trophy adding to another award he received last month, naming him the best African Player in Spain in 2013/14.