Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme paid tribute to Milan Jovanović after accepting the nation's 2009 Player of the Year award on the R. Standard de Liège forward's behalf.

'Terrific player'
Serbian international Jovanović topped the polls ahead of RSC Anderlecht duo Mbark Boussoufa and Romelu Lukaku and, unable to collect the Golden Boot himself, the honour went to lifelong Standard fan Leterme. "This is deserved as Jovanović is a terrific player," said the prime minister. "Congratulations, Milan. The Golden Boot is for you. Bravo!"

Vermaelen credit
Second to team-mate Axel Witsel in the voting 12 months ago, the 28-year-old played a pivotal role as Standard claimed the 2008/09 league title and reached the UEFA Europa League round of 32. The jury of sports journalists, coaches and former winners also named Arsenal FC's Thomas Vermaelen the best foreign-based Belgian player, while KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen's Bart Goor took the Goal of the Year for his lob against Standard.