Albion loanee Jan Paul van Hecke has thanked fans for an historic award.

The Dutch defender has been named as player of the season at Blackburn Rovers.

He is the first on-loan player to secure the accolade.

Reda Khadra, also on loan from the Seagulls, won Rovers’ goal of the season award.

Rovers have missed out on a spot in the Championship play-offs with one round of games still go.

But Van Hecke and Khadra both appear to have made progress under the management of Tony Mowbray as they target a Premier League future at the Amex.

Van Hecke, 21, said: “It’s a really special feeling.

“I remember when I came and the first day the manager helped me a lot and to now be player of the year it’s amazing.

“If they respect me and how I play and they think you’re a good player and you’re player of the season, that’s a special feeling.”

Khadra’s prize-winning strike was a sensational fierce, dipping free-kick from out wide on the left to beat QPR at Ewood Park.

Mowbray was also keen on Ryan Longman, ahead of his permanent move from Albion to Hull, and Aaron Connolly when he went on loan to Middlesbrough.