China captain and Guangzhou Evergrande star Zheng Zhi has been named the AFC Asian Player of the Year for 2013 at a glittering ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
The 33-year old midfielder became the first Chinese player to win the award since Fan Zhiyi took home the trophy in 2001, improving on his third-place finish of 2012.
The former Celtic and Charlton Athletic man, who led Guangzhou to glory in the AFC Champions League this year, beat Iran and Esteghlal star Javad Nekounam and South Korea and FC Seoul midfielder Ha Dae-sung to the award.
Zheng's club teammate, Brazilian striker Muriqui (Luiz Guilherme Da Conceicao Silva), won the AFC Foreign Player of the Year award.
