March 11 2012

Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha has been crowned npower Football League Young Player Of The Year.

Palace's tricky winger was handed the honour at Sunday night's Football League Awards ceremony in London.

Afterwards, Zaha tweeted: "I won the young player of the league award #thankstoeveryone"

The 19-year-old was rewarded for an excellent second full season with the club since graduating from the youth Academy.

He has caught the eye with some exciting wing play, scoring seven goals with five assists from 41 appearances this season.

His performances won him a first England U21 cap last month against Belgium and the Croydon-based player fought off competition from Matt Phillips of Blackpool and Lewis Dunk of Brighton to claim the award.

Former Palace player Geoff Thomas tweeted: "Well deserved. Big future" and Mark Bright added: "Get in there."

He follows in the footsteps of Eagles team mate Nathaniel Clyne also won the Football League Young Player of the Year two years ago.