Ajax !s Hakim Ziyech wins Netherlands Footballer of the Year award"

Hakim Ziyech has won the Dutch Footballer of the Year, also known as Gouden Schoen [Golden Boot].

Ziyech enjoyed a remarkable year scoring nine goals, laying 14 others to grateful teammates in 34 appearances. Although the feat was only enough to help Ajax to a second-place finish.

The 25-year-old, who joined the club form Twente in 2016, becomes the third Moroccan to win the Dutch footballer of the year award after Mounir El Hamdaoui in 2009 and Karim El Ahmadi last year.

Ziyech believes that he is in the "best phase of his career' and hopes to produce an impressive performance for the club this season.

"I'm very happy here and I think I'm in the best phase of my career," Ziyech said.

Hakim Ziyech, who was part of Morroco's squad at the World Cup in Russia, has scored two goals in four league appearances for Ajax this season.

Ziyech will, however, shift his focus to national duty as Morocco prepare to face Malawi in a 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifying game.

After the international break, he will be looking to continue his impressive form when Ajax host Groningen in their next league match.