Andre Ayew named BBC African Footballer of 2011

Ghanaian football star Andre Ayew has won the 2011 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

The 21 year-old midfielder, who plays for French Ligue 1 club Olympique Marseille, was the overwhelming winner ahead of Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Samuel Eto'o and Seydou Keita.

He follows in the footsteps of his father, Abedi "Pele" Ayew, who won the inaugural BBC award in 1991.

"I'm honoured and surprised to receive this prestigious award, especially considering the great players who have won it in the past," said Ayew.

"I thank all the people who voted for me - in Ghana, in Africa and in the world.

"I'm going to work hard to show them they made a good choice."

The BBC award takes into account the football calendar from January to December 2011 and includes domestic leagues, both the Uefa and Caf Champions League tournaments.

Andre becomes the fifth Ghanaian to win after his father, Sammy Kuffour (2001), Michael Essien (2006) and last year's winner Asamoah Gyan.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Previous winners of BBC African Footballer of the Year award:

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)

Andre 'Dede' Ayew receives the trophy from his father, Abedi Pele, who won the BBC award in 1991 

Video Source: Youtube

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