Marko Arnautovic has been crowned as the 2017/18 Betway Hammer of the Year.

The Austria international forward has been recognised for his outstanding season for West Ham United by becoming the 40th different player to win the acclaim of the Claret and Blue Army.

Arnautovic, who has scored ten goals and registered four assists in 31 appearances, won 68 per cent of the vote, with Declan Rice finishing as runner-up, and Pablo Zabaleta third.

"This award that I have received today, I am very happy and very proud," he said. "I want to keep doing my job for this Club because I came here to do my job and everybody has seen what I can do and that I'm very happy to be here and I want to keep doing it.

"I want to thank every single fan who supports West Ham for this award. It means a lot to me. It was hard for me at the beginning of the season but now it's going well and I want to do my job for many years to come. We are not finished yet.

"I try to do my best. The gaffer gave me some advice which was to run hard and do my best and I did it. All the players helped me. I love them and they love me - you can hear this!

"The best moment? Of course scoring goals is a good moment for me, but to receive these awards is the best moment so far for me. I'll do my best in the last four games, I'll give everything and then we're going to go on holiday and come back and do better next season.

"Thank you all for this and I love you all!"

Marko Arnautovic enjoyed a chat with former Hammers striker Carlton Cole

Arnautovic has enjoyed a superb debut season in E20, scoring those ten goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances, during a hot run of form over the winter and spring months

Having signed for a Club record fee from Stoke City in the summer, Arnautovic’s first goal for the Hammers was a memorable one, as he fired David Moyes’ men to a 1-0 London Stadium triumph over Chelsea in December.

He followed that with four more strikes before 2017 was out – one at his former side Stoke, another against Newcastle and a Boxing Day brace at AFC Bournemouth.

Arnautovic’s appetite for goals showed no sign of slowing as the calendar turned over into 2018, with vital contributions at Huddersfield Town and against Watford and Southampton at home, helping the Hammers to important victories.

He reached double figures with a fierce strike in last Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal, becoming the first Hammer to hit ten Premier League goals in a season since Diafra Sakho in 2014/15.

Arnautovic’s Hammer of the Year honours capped his three trophies at the 2017/18 Player Awards brought to by Betway in aid of the Academy, which were held at InterContinental London – The O2 on Wednesday night.

Award Winners

Betway Hammer of the Year – Marko Arnautovic

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by JM Sealant Contracts – Ken Brown

Goal of the Season sponsored by Mulalley & Co – Pedro Obiang v Tottenham Hotspur

Signing of the Season sponsored by Lycamobile – Marko Arnautovic

Players’ Player of the Season sponsored by Peter Rayney Tax Consulting – Marko Arnautovic

Young Player of the Year sponsored by Euroffice Office Supplies – Declan Rice

Dylan Tombides Award sponsored by Blue Cube Security – Conor Coventry

Ladies Players’ Player of the Year sponsored by Spire London East Hospital – Ellie Zoepfl