David Villa takes Major League Soccer's MVP honour

New York City FC forward David Villa has been announced as the 2016 winner of US Major League Soccer's Landon Donovan award for Most Valuable Player.

Playing his second season in MLS, the all-time leading scorer among Spanish internationals posted 23 goals and four assists as NYCFC reached the play-offs in only their second year, reports Efe.

Villa, who turned 35 last Saturday, finished second in the MLS Golden Boot competition.

"I'm very proud to represent NYCFC and to receive this award," the Spaniard said on Tuesday.

"It's a big day for me because this is one of the things I said I wanted to do when I came here two years ago."

The winner of the Donovan award is determined by a vote of MLS club management, players and media.

Villa, a member of the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup, had an outstanding career in La Liga before coming to the US, spending five seasons with Valencia, three with Barcelona and one with Atletico Madrid.

The striker was the first player signed by NYCFC.

--IANS

ajb/bg