Jordan Ayew has been named Crystal Palace F.C. Player of the Season for his stellar campaign across 2019/20, with the club’s fans naming the forward as their choice by a clear distance.
Ayew, who netted nine times in the just ended season and played in 39 games, received an impressive 37% of the total votes from almost 6,000 supporters.
In an emotional acceptance speech Ayew said: "I’ve worked so hard to get into the team and I think the first season I came into this team wasn’t the best but the club had faith in me, the club wanted me to stay and I wanted to stay as well.
"I had the desire to have a better season and things have gone so well. I’m just grateful.
"I want to thank everyone at the football club; I want to thank the fans especially, they’ve been massive for us this season, for me especially they’ve been massive. I’d like to thank all the people that supported me within the difficult moments that I had in my football career.Â
"When I have this type of award I just think of my family and obviously of the fans. And one man that’s been so influential in my football career: that’s [mentor and former Olympique de Marseille president] Pape Diouf. I lost him within the period of COVID and he passed away, I wish he was still here so I could present him this."
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson announced Ayew's achievement, and echoed the 28-year-old's pride, saying: "[Jordan] is an unbelievable enthusiast and hard worker, somebody really who never falls below a certain level of performance, someone who never misses a training session and is always lively and alert in each training session, irrespective if it’s the day after coming back after a long journey or after having a day or two off.
"He's made great strides going forward. When he came to us, he showed a lot of qualities but I think the qualities he possesses he really has worked on and improved... Well done, Jordan."