Lebo Mothiba says his hard work has paid off after being handed a three-year contract with French Ligue 1 side Lille.

Mothiba will now hope to follow in the footsteps of another famous Lille star, Eden Hazard, as he looks to build on his growing reputation.

Having spent the majority of last season with the club’s second string, Mothiba has been given his senior squad chance after penning a deal which will expire in June 2019.

‘I’m really pleased that all my hard work was rewarded,’ the former Diambars Academy forward tells SASoccermag.co.za.

Not content to rest of his laurels, Mothiba is aware that more hard work lies ahead.

‘There’s still more work to be done.’

‘I want to train hard and make an impression from the bench.’

For the player whose goal against Brazil for SA u23 made fans in his home country take notice, he will now be looking to impress Lille’s technical team in pre-season before he joins up with Owen Da Gama’s squad for the Olympics.