- N’Golo Kante also wins the Players’ Player of the Season crown at the Club’s annual awards night
- City squad gathered at King Power Stadium to recognise the achievements of a sensational season
- Under-21s and Academy players also recognised for their achievements
Algerian maestro Riyad Mahrez took the top prize at Leicester City’s 2015/16 Season Awards after being crowned Player of the Season by the Club’s supporters.
This season the Foxes roared to a sensational Barclays Premier League title triumph against all the odds, with the performances of Mahrez helping to light up the most memorable campaign in Leicester City history.
With 17 Premier League strikes to his name along with 11 assists, the 25-year-old Algeria international’s display have been among the best ever seen in a blue shirt, and have played a key role in the team’s title win. He beat team-mates N’Golo Kanté and Jamie Vardy to the prize.
Mahrez told Foxes Player HD: “It feels good. It’s good to be voted for from the fans. I want to thank them all and I love all the Leicester fans because they are great supporters. I’m very happy. We just know we’ve done something crazy – something unbelievable.
"For myself first, the goals I scored for the team, all the wins. The Aston Villa win when we were 2-0 down and we won 3-2, and the Manchester City win away.
"The stadium is very amazing. The fans are close to us and I feel very good here to play. I just want to say thank you to all the fans – I hope they support us every year.”
Plucked from relative obscurity from Le Havre in the French second tier in January 2014, Mahrez joined the Foxes as they marched to the Championship title later that season.
He showed flashes of his brilliant best as the team earned survival during a return to the top flight last term, before really hitting the ground running under Claudio Ranieri in a campaign that would see him give the Foxes dozens of priceless memories.
His season has included a hat-trick against Swansea, a show stopping winner at home to Chelsea, a stunner at Manchester City, a breath taking assist at home to Stoke City as well as countless other moments that have made the Blue Army marvel.
It was a night to remember for all involved, as the entire squad gathered in the Walkers Hall at King Power Stadium to recognise what has been a remarkable achievement that resonates not just around Leicester, but around the world.
Leicester City supporter and BBC presenter Manish Bhasin hosted the event, which served as an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the entire Club – from first team to Academy level.
While the main award of the evening went to Mahrez, his friend and team-mate Kante beat off competition from the Algerian, Vardy and skipper Wes Morgan to claim the Players’ Player of the Season award – voted for by the Foxes squad.
Signed from French outfit Caen in the summer, Kante has been a revelation in central midfield. His tackling and interception skills are on a level never before seen at King Power Stadium and his performances alongside Danny Drinkwater have seen both players earn their first international caps for France and England respectively.
Voted for on the night, the Goal of the Season award went to Jamie Vardy for his stunning long-range strike against Liverpool at King Power Stadium in February.
The England man spotted Simon Mignolet off his line and unleashed a ferocious effort into the top corner during a 2-0 win.
The Performance of the Season award, chosen by Claudio and his staff, was given for the team’s 3-1 win away at Manchester City.
It was a day on which the Foxes blew away their esteemed hosts and gave themselves, as well as the footballing world, a belief that they could win the league.
For a second year in running, Academy graduate Jeffrey Schlupp scooped the Young Player of the Season title, beating Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell.
The Ghana international began the season at left back before progressing into a midfield role later in the campaign – having a strong impact on City’s season despite a three-month injury absence.
After rising swiftly through the ranks at the Club, the U21 Player of the Season award went to England youth international Ben Chilwell.
Having captained the Club’s Under-18s to the FA Youth Cup Semi-Final last term, the left back made his first team debut against Hull City in October, before making two appearances against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup in January.
Back-to-back hat-tricks for the Club’s Under-18s and a goal on his Development Squad debut at King Power Stadium helped earn Admiral Muskwe the Academy Player of the Season Award.
The striker has since gone on to impress under Steve Beaglehole, injecting pace, power and clinical finishing into the Under-21s set up.
Award winners in full:
Player of the Year Season: Riyad Mahrez
Nominees: N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy
Players’ Player of the Season Winner: N’Golo Kanté
Nominees: Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Wes Morgan
Goal of the Season Winner: Jamie Vardy vs. Liverpool
Performance of the Season: Manchester City 1-3 Leicester City
Young Player of the Season Winner: Jeffrey Schlupp
Nominees: Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell
Under-21s Player of the Season: Ben Chilwell
Nominees: Joe Dodoo and Hamza Choudhury
Academy Player of the Season Winner: Admiral Muskwe
Nominees: Harvey Barnes and Darnell Johnson