Mahrez wins PFA Player of the Year award to become the first African player to achieve the feat

Mahrez wins PFA Player of the Year award to become the first African player to achieve the feat

The Algerian has enjoyed a stunning campaign for the Foxes this term and beat teammates Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kante to the award

Riyad Mahrez capped a fine season by picking up the PFA Player of the Year award.

The Algerian netted the opening goal in the Foxes' 4-0 victory over Swansea earlier on Sunday to send his side eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

And Mahrez then beat teammate Jamie Vardy to the individual accolade.

Spurs hitman Harry Kane came third with Mahrez' team-mate N'Golo Kante, West Ham playmaker Dimitri Payet and Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil also in the running.

He dedicated the award to his father, before adding: "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.

"Without my team-mates I wouldn't get this award.

"We are like brothers, it’s everywhere on the pitch. That’s our strength.

"If sometimes we are not good, we know we are going to run and make effort for our team-mates. That is the secret of our success."

He is the first African and the first Leicester player to win the award since its inception in 1974.

Mahrez was the odds-on favourite to claim the gong after a season in which he has already directly contributed to 27 goals.

His 17 goals and 10 assists have fired Claudio Ranieri's side to the brink of the Premier League title.

Mahrez's goals have been worth a phenomenal 20 points to Leicester this season, with the vast majority of the 25-year-old's strikes coming at key times in matches.

Only two of his goals this season have been inconsequential to the result of the match.

Leicester need just five points from their remaining three top flight games to seal the title.