Guwahati: Shillong Lajong FC have hailed their 19-year-old captain Samuel Lalmuanpuia for winning the Emerging Player of the Year Award in the I-League 2017-18 season that was announced by the All India Football Federation on Thursday.

The Lajong Academy product scored three goals, assisted in four and made 17 match appearances in I-League 2017-18.

Lalmuanpuia scored a free kick goal against Calcutta giants East Bengal on December 9 and converted a penalty for his second goal against Mohun Bagan on December 14 in Calcutta. His third goal was also scored from a spot kick in the last game of the season against East Bengal in Shillong on March 5.

Lalmuanpuia said: "I would like to thank my coaching staff, teammates, everyone at the club and also my family for their endless love and support. I am grateful that the club gave me an opportunity to play in the I-League at the age of 17, showcasing my talent and nurturing me to become the player that I am today.

"I always believe in myself no matter what the situation is, always motivate myself and in the end I am just living my dream. Seeing it come true is truly a miracle," he added.

Lalmuanpuia scored his first ever I-League goal at the age of 17 against Aizawl FC on April 1, 2016 in Shillong and was the league's youngest scorer during that season. He remained Shillong Lajong's youngest scorer in the I-League.

In all, the free kick specialist has netted seven career I-League goals and holds the fifth position in the club's all-time leading goal scorers in the I-League. The top four are Cornell Glen (29 goals), Uilliams Souza (18), Boithang Haokip (16) and Dipanda Dicka (11) making him the second highest Indian to score for the club in the league.