Just a year after the Ballon D'Or award merged with the World Player of the Year award to become the FIFA Ballon D'Or, UEFA have announced that a new award, the UEFA Best Player in Europe, will be decided this summer.

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An statement on UEFA's official website read: ''Based on an initiative of the UEFA President, Michel Platini, aimed at reviving the spirit of the old European Footballer of the Year award, UEFA, in partnership with European Sports Media (ESM), has launched the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

''The new accolade will recognise the best player, irrespective of his nationality, playing for a football club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the previous season.

''For the inaugural award, players will be judged by their performances during the 2010-11 campaign in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels.''

A three-man shortlist will be drawn up by 53 renowned football journalists on July 25, while the award will be presented in Monaco on August 25 during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw.