Things could hardly be going better for midfielder Julian Brandt right now. The 26-year-old has had a big hand in Borussia's ongoing winning streak, notching two goals and two assists in the first five Bundesliga games of this calendar year. Brandt has now been rewarded for his outstanding performances.

Following a vote by players, fans and pundits, Brandt has been voted the "Bundesliga Player of the Month" for January. He beat off competition from BVB team-mate Nico Schlotterbeck, Andre Silva (Leipzig), Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen), Danilho Doekhi and Christopher Trimmel (both Union Berlin).

This is the first time this season that the award, which is presented by the German Football League (DFL) in cooperation with EA Sports, has gone to a Dortmund player. Karim Adeyemi had earlier claimed the "Rookie of the Month" award for his equally successful January last week.