Podolski claims player award

Lukas Podolski has been named the Best Young Player at this summer's World Cup.

Germany's Lukas Podolski has been named the Best Young Player at this summer's World Cup.

Podolski beat off competition from Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Luis Valencia of Ecuador, Tranquillo Barnetta of Switzerland and Cesc Fabregas of Spain.

Messi, Ronaldo and Valencia made the shortlist via supporters' votes, while Barnetta, Fabregas and Podolski were nominated by Fifa's Technical Study Group.

The Bayern Munich striker received the accolade after Fifa's 14-man committee deemed the striker to have made 'the biggest impression at the Fifa World Cup'.

Podolski, who turned 21 on June 4, scored three goals in six matches for the hosts and formed an excellent understanding with the tournament's top goalscorer Miroslav Klose.