Sport - Yaya Toure wins BBC African Footballer of the Year award 2015

Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has been named BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2015.

The Ivorian captain won the award after he beat off competition from Algeria's Yacine Brahimi, the 2014 winner, as well as Gabon's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ghanaian Andre Ayew and Senegal's Sadio Mane in an African fan vote.

The current Caf African Footballer of the Year, becomes only the third player to win the award twice, following in the footsteps of Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.

“I’m very proud. It was a huge challenge for me as well, because I have been involved in this award a few times now, and always to receive this dedication from the fans is unbelievable," Toure told BBC Africa.

“African football is growing up, becoming much better and we have fantastic young players coming through now. For me, it was a massive challenge so I’m very, very delighted. Because at the end of the day, we are all champions.

“For me, to be the winner today, I am delighted and very happy. And as an African player, I want to lead all my younger brothers to be successful in the future.”