Yaya Toure named BBC African Footballer of the Year

The Manchester City player captained his country to the African Nations Cup title in February, ending a 23-year wait to lift the trophy, and has remained an integral part of his club side throughout the year.

(Reuters)

"African football is growing up, becoming much better and we have fantastic young players coming through now," Toure told the BBC.

"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."

The 32-year-old became only the third player to win the award twice, following Nigerians Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.

(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)