Yaya Toure is BBC African Footballer Of The Year!

Manchester City and Cote d’Ivoire midfielder, Yaya Toure, has been named the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year.

The 30-year-old football player, who has been nominated for the past 4 years, beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Jonathan Pitroipa to the award.

Toure, excited, said,

“It’s a fantastic achievement because I don’t think there has ever been as many quality African players in top level international football as there are now: Aubameyang, Pitroipa, Mikel, Moses, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho… we have fantastic players."

He also added that in his opinion African football was improving. And this fact makes him feel very happy, Toure con

The list of nominees for the BBC award, was compiled by 44 football experts across African, who used criteria such as skill, technical ability, team work, fair play and consistency. A record number of fans then voted for their favourite either online or by text message.

The winner thanked all his fans, who voted for him.
“Thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me. It shows how much fans love you and appreciate your job as well,” he said.

“When you have a lot of fans behind you, it’s always amazing. And I’m very happy as it is the fans who have given it to me – so I’m very appreciative.”