ROME: In spite of being away from Italy, former Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was still elected Italian players' association player of the year on Monday.

The Italian soccer "Oscars" awards were voted on by Italy-based players during the close-season and reflect performances during the 2008-09 season.

Sweden's Ibrahimovic, who have joined Barcelona in July after boasting Serie A top scorer with 25 goals, has won the best player and best foreign player awards.

His former coach Jose Mourinho won the best coach award after leading Inter to last season's Serie A title in his first campaign in charge.

The best Italian player award went to AS Roma and Italy's midfielder Daniele De Rossi while Inter's Julio Cesar was voted Serie A top goalkeeper.

Best young player was AC Milan's Brazilian Alexandre Pato and the defender award went to Juventus center back Giorgio Chiellini.