Mahrez Becomes First African to Win EPL Player of the Year

Leicester City forward Riyad Mahrez was named English soccer player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association Sunday.

The 25-year-old Algerian international, the first Leicester player and first African to win the award, has scored 17 goals and made 11 assists in 34 league games and played a crucial role in moving Leicester to the brink of their first ever Premier League title.

Mahrez finished ahead of fellow Leicester players Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kante, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and West Ham United's Dimitri Payet.

"All the credit is for them, seriously," Mahrez, who joined Leicester from second-tier French side Le Havre in January 2014, told reporters.

"And for my manager and the staff. Without them I wouldn't receive this award and I wouldn't score. It's the team spirit, and I want to dedicate it to them."

"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," he added. 

Mahrez also spoke of his pride at being the first African player to receive the award, which was won last year by struggling Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard.