Alaba wins Austria´s top award

Bayern Munich’s 19-year-old sensation David Alaba is the Austrian Footballer of the Year.

The midfielder edged Nacer Barazite to the prize courtesy of a single point in a poll among 10 coaches from the Austrian Bundesliga.

The top three was rounded off by Stuttgart attacker Martin Harnik.

Alaba becomes the youngest player to win the award.

“This is a huge honour for me, I’m totally surprised,” Alaba told Kicker.

The teenager recently broke into Bayern Munich’s first team, appearing in 22 games for the Bavarians this season, scoring three goals.

He also cemented his place in the national side, appearing in 15 matches for Marcel Koller’s outfit.

“(Alaba is) a player who in training tries to improve every day. This award will spur him to make the next step in his career,” Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said.

Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge predicted a bright future for Alaba.

“I think he is a very good choice (for Austrian Footballer of The Year). He has progressed extremely well at Bayern Munich, and we trust he will have a great future,” he said.