Kasim Scoops Iraqi Player Of The Year Award

Swindon Town's Yaser Kasim has held silverware aloft this week, after being named Iraq's player of the year.

The Robins' midfielder secured the accolade with 38 per cent of the vote, beating second placed Justin Meram of MLS outfit Columbus Crew, who took 34 per cent.

The award represents a tick in the often chequered international book of Yaser Kasim, who in September announced he would be stepping down from the international stage following a dispute.

 

Proud to have won Iraqi Player of the year! Love to all that voted ??

A photo posted by Yaser Kasim (@yaserkasim) on

Feb 3, 2016 at 3:29am PST

The Town number eight soon retracted his decision however and returned to the Iraq side within the month, with his international career to date boasting three goals in 18 appearances. 

Kasim has not been shy of late when it comes to making the headlines, after being heavily linked with a January transfer window move away from the County Ground.

Rumours of Premier League interest from high-flying West Ham and strugglers Swansea City were circulating, as Robins' chairman Lee Power himself confirmed in an interview with BBC radio Wiltshire.

As the hours of deadline day ticked away, it emerged Kasim's proposed move to Swansea City would not materialise, as the South Wales side opted to sign Queen Park Rangers' Leroy Fer on loan.

@YaserKasim, YES2IRAQ ambassador, wins 'Best Professional Iraqi Player in 2015' award.

Congratulations Yaser ??????????? pic.twitter.com/fkt1GXhZCE

— YES2IRAQ (@yes2iraq_) February 3, 2016