West Ham star Dimitri Payet has taken one of the top gongs at the 2016 London Football Awards after being named as the Premier League Player of the Year.

The Frenchman won the award, chosen by an expert panel of journalists, former players and representatives of London's 15 professional clubs, at a gala ceremony in Battersea on Thursday for his superb performances in his debut season in England.

Payet, who was signed by West Ham from Marseille last summer, has hit the ground running in the top flight since arriving from Ligue 1 and already has nine goals and eight assists in all competitions this season.

Such has been his form this term that Payet managed to pip Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Chelsea's stand-out player of the season Willian, Watford forward Odion Ighalo and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil to the award.

Speaking about the award, Payet said: "It is of course an honour and a great joy for me to receive this award after only one season here.

"It’s the first time in my career that I have received a personal award like this. Last year, I won Best Passer in Ligue 1, but this is the first time I have been named best player.

"Being recognised like this after only one season here is particularly special, especially when I saw the nominations for this award. They are all great players and vital to each of their clubs, so that gives even more value to this award.

"I hope that this can be start of lots of trophies, especially for the team, because the team is always the most important."

Meanwhile, the Hammers were also recognised for their work in the community after winning the London Community Project of the Year award for their Moore Family Foundation Project.

Toscafund is the proud sponsor of the London Football Awards. Toscafund is a multi-asset fund manager based in London. Funds managed for a broad investor base include global long and short equities, commercial property, activist funds, debt capital and bespoke private equity. For more information, visit toscafund.com

The London Football Awards will raise funds for Willow — a national charity that provides special days for seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds. For more information visit londonfootball awards.org