Southeast Asia

SEA Awards – Foreign Player Of The Year

By: , October 17, 2018 5:24 pm

The second category for our Football Tribe SEA Awards pertains to the best foreign player in each respective league. Click below to see which imported stars have made the biggest impact this season.

Thailand

Presented by Obb Deewajin

Diogo Luís Santo - Striker - Aged 31 - Buriram United

The ex-Olympiacos and Santos FC striker was unplayable this season after finishing as the league's top scorer with 34 goals, taking his Thai league (T1) total to 101 goals since joining in 2015. This is Diogo's most injury-free season in Thailand, playing over 2900 minutes, missing only 1 game and netting 3 hattricks along the way. Considered to be the best foreign player to ever grace the league, Diogo is not just a goal poacher but also a great creator and leader whose positive influence is said to rub off on Buriram United's youngsters.

 

Honorable Mentions

2 - Heberty Fernandes: Finished the season as joint 2nd top scorer with 26 goals, often proving to be Muangthong's only hope in a mediocre season for the club.

3 - Dragan Bošković: Fired Port FC to their best ever league finish with 21 goals, which could have been even more if it wasn't for niggling injuries.

4 - Jonatan Reis: Joint 2nd top scorer with Heberty as he helped newly promoted PT Prachuap finish in a phenomenal 6th position. Was in consistent form all year upfront or on the wing.

5 - Nelson Bonilla: The El Salvador international netted 25 goals in his debut season, dragging Sukhothai FC out of the relegation zone.

Vietnam

Presented by Tran Tien

Michael Olaha - Striker - Aged 22 - Song Lam Nghe An

Olaha has proved his quality during what was his second year in an Song Lam Nhe An jersey. Besides his 8 goals, he created many chances for teammates. His fine form was one of the reasons that the team finished as high as fourth place in the final standings despite a poor start. He was voted as the foriegn player of the year by 56% of Football Tribe Vietnam readers.

 

Honorable Mentions

2 - Youssouf Toure: The former FC Tours player has scored 14 times to help Sanna Khanh Hoa clinch third place. He has been rewarded a new contract with the team.

3 - Jermie Lynch: Despite only playing the second half of the season for SLNA, Jamaica striker scored 4 goals to help the team finish fourth

4 - Wander Luiz: The Brazilian forward netted 13 times after 22 matches for the team, with his contribution accounting for 50% of the goals Can Tho scored this season.

5 - Eydison: The 30 year-old was the club's top scorer with 15 goals in the league despite playing out wide in most of his games

Malaysia

Presented by Aiman Nazirmuddin

Rufino Segovina - Striker - Aged 33 - Selangor

After only eight matches, Selangor striker Rufino Segovia had already scored 10 goals for Selangor. Despite being at the relatively advanced age of 33, when most strikers begin to slow down, Segovina proved the doubters wrong. His 19 strikes ultimately sealed the golden boot, making him deserving of this award.

 

Honorable Mentions

2 - Kipré Tchétché: The 30-year-old scored 14 goals for Terengganu this season. The Ivory Coast native was crucial to Terengganu's success this campaign.

3 - Gonzalo Cabrera: He is the pulse that moved the JDT attacking machinery. Play together with Safawi in attack, he provided 7 assists and scored 9 goals this season.

4 - Guilherme De Paula: The Brazilian-born was crucial to the rise of Kuala Lumpur this season. He scored 13 goals this campaign and will almost certainly be retained for next season.

5 - Lee Tuck: The Englishman had a good season, netting 6 times from 16 appearances for Terengganu.