RC Deportivo's Sabin Merino has been awarded the SmartBank Player of the Month accolade for January. The Basque sharpshooter's goalscoring exploits were instrumental as the Galicians emerged victorious in all three of their games during January.

Merino marked his first outing of the month - and his Depor debut - with a goal as he struck the equaliser to set up a comeback win over Real Racing Club Santander. After having got his Deportivo career off to an unbeatable start, things would get even better in his next appearance as he fired home the winner in the home success against table-topping Cadiz CF. Merino closed out an excellent month by once again getting his name on the scoresheet as Los Blanquiazules claimed a 1-0 victory over Albacete.

Merino will collect his award in front of the Riazor faithful, before RC Deportivo take on Girona FC on 14 February in a 21:00 (CET) kick-off.