Real Madrid and Belgium shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois has been voted the best keeper of 2018 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

The IFFHS voting board, comprised of editorial staff and football experts from over 90 countries across the globe, announced that Courtois had beaten the likes of David De Gea and Jan Oblak for the annual award.

The 26-year-old Los Blancos keeper received 181 votes from the panel, 72 more votes than second-place Hugo Lloris who claimed 109 votes.

Veteran No.1 Gianluigi Buffon placed third with 59 votes, one vote more than Keylor Navas, who came fourth overall. Oblak and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen rounded off the list with 49 votes in joint fifth.

Previous winners of the award include Buffon, Manuel Neuer and Iker Casillas.

A memorable 2018 for Courtois

Courtois enjoyed a successful 2018 for both club and country. The towering Belgian kept a clean sheet in Chelsea’s FA Cup final win against Manchester United.

In Russia, Courtois was one of Belgium’s most vital players as the Red Devils made it all the way to the World Cup semi-finals, with the then Chelsea keeper keeping two clean sheets, both against England in the group stage and third-place playoff match.

His performances for Belgium in Russia resulted in Courtois claiming the Golden Glove award for the 2018 World Cup, and two months later the Red Devils No.1 was named Best Goalkeeper at the FIFA Football Awards in September, even though Manchester United star De Gea took the goalkeeping spot in the FIFPro World XI.

Courtois also becomes the second Real Madrid player this week to claim an award for 2018 from the IFFHS.

Croatian international and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric claimed Best Playmaker award from the organisation, beating the likes of Lionel Messi, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.