Manuel da Costa has crowned an impressive few weeks by being voted as SBOBET Player of the Month for May.
The Portuguese centre-back, who polled 78 per cent of the vote, closed the 2009/10 campaign in good form, starting the final seven Barclays Premier League fixtures and scoring a vital goal in the 2-2 draw at Everton.
In the two matches played in May, Da Costa performed well, coming close to scoring again with a 35-yard strike at Fulham and working hard to keep Manchester City's star-studded attack at bay on the final day of the season.
The defender said his encouraging displays had been down to settling into life at West Ham United and in London following his move from Italian club ACF Fiorentina last summer.
Now happy both at work and at home, the 24-year-old is planning to continue his improvement when he returns for pre-season training in early July.
"I was down when I arrived, but now I have been training and I was told that if I did well I would play," he said. "I was on the same level as everybody - I like this, because it is true life. The best players play.
"Now I am very good. I feel an association with this club. This year is my first year and I played my first five games and was a bit off-form. I have come back and I feel part of this team. I have been working hard and have been given my chance. Now I want to take it."
Da Costa's victory in the fans' online vote brought to an end the reign of Hammer of the Year Scott Parker, who scooped the award in March and April. The 29-year-old also won in November and December.
Julien Faubert, Zavon Hines, Carlton Cole, James Tomkins and Alessandro Diamanti were the 2009/10 season's other monthly winners.