Thibaut Courtois was the best goalkeeper in 2018, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
The IFFHS is a voting board comprised of editorial staff and football experts from around the globe.
Members from over 90 countries have voted the Belgian shot-stopper the best in world football last year – and he has beaten the likes of Manchester United’s David De Gea, Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak or Tottenham and France’s World Cup winning goalie Hugo Lloris to claim the accolade.
The Real Madrid man scoops up the award after receiving 181 votes from the panel.
Lloris claimed second spot with 109 votes, while veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon took bronze with 59 votes.
Real Madrid’s current back-up Keylor Navas and Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen came in joint fifth position in the results.
Courtois enjoyed a thoroughly successful 2018 – claiming FA Cup glory with Chelsea but more impressively winning the Golden Glove at the World Cup in Russia for Belgium.
The 6 ft 5″ keeper joins an illustrious list of goalkeepers who have won the award for their performances between the sticks – including Buffon, Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer.
Meanwhile, Courtois’ Los Blancos team mate and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric also received an awad from the IFFHS this week.
The Croat claimed the ‘Best Playmaker of 2018’ award – scooping up the accolade ahead of footballing superstars Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.