André Ayew wins RFI's Prix Marc-Vivien Foe

André Ayew has been voted the best African footballer in the French first division by a jury  of sports journalists at RFI and France 24. The Marseille midfielder accepted the prize just days after announcing that he'd leave Ligue 1.

André Ayew has been a key player for Marseille during the 2014-15 season. Reuters/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Ayew came to RFI's headquarters just outside Paris to be awarded the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé.

The 25-year-old Ghana international won the award ahead of the Saint Etienne's Ivorian striker Max-Alain Gradel and Monaco's Tunisian defender Aymen Abdennour.

It's the first time Ayew's collected the accolade and he joins an illustrious list of winners such as Gervinho, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vincent Enyeama and Marouane Chamakh.

Ironically, three of those playes are now parading their skills in the English Premier League and the Bundesliga - both thought to be destinations for Ayew who confirmed last Saturday that this weekend's game against Bastia at the Vélodrome would be his last in Marseille colours for the foreseeable future.

The Prix Marc-Vivien Foé was established in 2009 by RFI to commemorate the Cameroonian footballer who died in June 2003 at the age of 28 from a heart attack while playing for his country during a Confederations Cup match against Colombia in Lyon. Since 2011 it has been awarded jointly by RFI and France 24.

After being presented with the trophy, Ayew declined to say where he'd be playing next year.

"When the season is over I will sit down and look at the offers," he said. "I really haven't decided anything yet. I'm going to take time to think about my future."

While he considers the next stage of his career, he can be more than contented with the journey hitherto.

Ayew will leave Marseille after 11 years with the club. During that time he's progressed from promising youngster to stalwart in an occasionally flamboyant yet ultimately failing team.

The side started the 2014-2015 season diffidently taking one point from their opening two fixtures against Bastia and Montpellier. But then there came eight wins on the trot which took them seven points clear of Paris Saint Germain at the end of the October.

When Marseille hosted PSG on 5 April, the two sides and Lyon were separated by two points at the top of the division. PSG beat Marseille 3-2.

The defeat led to implosion.

Marseille lost the subsequent games against Nantes and Bordeaux and there was a humilating 5-3 reverse at home to Lorient. The slump extinguished their tilt at the title and has jeopardised their chance of Uefa Champions League football next season.

"The beginning of the season was good," said Ayew. "But a lot of important players went to the Africa Cup of Nations in January and then there were injuries. It's a season to regret rather than enjoy. I hope it will be better for Marseille next season."

As he goes into his farewell tour of the Vélodrome, Ayew presents decent statistics.

Forty-four goals have come from 159 matches for the side, three goals were scored in 22 games while he was on loan at Lorient during the 2008-2009 season.

During the next campaign, Marseille will find it difficult to replace Ayew, said L'Equipe football writer Hervé Penot.

"André Ayew is a warrior on the pitch," he explained. "He represents what Marseille is. It means very strong men, strong team, a lot of character, players giving everything on the field."

Ayew has displayed these qualities domestically and internationally. His emergence has been all the more impressive because he has had to develop in what could have been an overwhelming shadow.

Ayew is the eldest son of Abedi Pelé. He is considered to be one of Ghana's greatest players and he was a lynchpin of the Marseille teams that dominated the French league – resulting in four championships and a Champions League trophy in 1993 at the expense of AC Milan.

"It is important that André Ayew does well," added Penot. "Because of his father he has something on his shoulders. It's not an obvious burden but it is there. Ayew has to show that he is his own man. To me, so far, he's done that."