Anderlecht's Praet is Belgium's best
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
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RSC Anderlecht's Dennis Praet won the Belgian Golden Boot as the country's player of the year. Club-mate Youri Tielemans and Benik Hasi were also honoured.
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RSC Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet received the Belgian Golden Boot as the country's player of the year on Wednesday evening.
The 20-year-old KRC Genk youth academy product, who moved to Anderlecht in 2010, ended five points ahead of Club Brugge KV midfielder Víctor Vázquez in the voting. Hans Vanaken was placed third by the panel of sports journalists and football dignitaries.
"It is an unbelievable honour to receive this award," Praet said. "It is the most beautiful individual honour a football player can receive. I want to thank my mother and father, who have made a lot of sacrifices for me. Also I want to thank my girlfriend and family and friends
"Furthermore I want to thank my coach Besnik Hasi, who always kept on believing in me. And finally I want to say that my thoughts are with the friends and family of Junior Malanda [the Belgian youth international from VfL Wolfsburg, who died in in car accident this week]. We will miss him."
Praet's club-mate Youri Tielemans was named Talent of the Year, while Hasi was elected Coach of the Year. Club Brugge KV's Mathew Ryan took the prize of Goalkeeper of the Year and while another in that position, Thibaut Courtois retained his title of 'Best Belgian Player Abroad'.
