The Gouden Schoen awards, held on 13 January in Ostend casino, also named Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen as the best foreign-based Belgian player, while Bart Goor of KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen took the Goal of the Year for his lob against Standard.

Serbian international Jovanovic, 28, topped the poll of press and football personalities ahead of Anderlecht duo Mbark Boussoufa and Romelu Lukaku. Unfortunately, he was not able to accept the award in person because of his team’s boycott of the event due to sponsor Het Laatste Nieuws’ inclusion of Standard player Axel Witsel in its nominations for “Gek van het Jaar” (“Crazy of the Year”) next to, among others, baby killer Kim De Gelder.

Jovanovic’s award was accepted by prime minister – and keen Standard fan – Yves Leterme, who hailed the striker as “a terrific player”. “Jova” or “The Snake”, joined Standard in 2006 and played a pivotal role in helping the club secure the Jupiler League in 2008 for the first time in 25 years – and retain it again last season. Last year, he scored 17 goals in 31 games for Standard. However, he could be on his way out: Liverpool and AC Milan are rumoured to be seeking his services this summer.

Jovanovic (pictured) also failed to shine at the weekend as Standard were humbled 4-0 at home by a rampant Anderlecht – the first win by the paars-wit at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in seven years. Standard are now 20 points off the pace of league leaders Anderlecht.