By Canadian Press

Canadian Premier League announces nominees for Best Under-21 Player Award

Oct 17, 2023 | 11:19 AM

Vancouver FC’s James Cameron, Valour FC’s Matteo De Brienne and Forge FC’s Kwasi Poku are up for the Canadian Premier League Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award.

The winner, decided in a vote by CPL club technical leadership and select media, will be announced Oct. 26 in Hamilton ahead of the CPL final weekend.

Cameron, 18, joined Vancouver on a development contract in May, making his professional debut on June 11. The North Vancouver native, who can play both fullback and midfielder, was rewarded with a multi-year deal in July,

Cameron finished the season with 1,504 minutes played, ranking fourth among domestic under-21 players, and led Vancouver with 70 total tackles and 129 duels won. He scored his first professional goal, a 91st-minute winner against Atletico Ottawa in September.

De Brienne, 21, impressed in his second season with Winnipeg-based Valour, finishing the season with three goals, three assists and 40 interceptions. 

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The Ottawa native turned heads with an acrobatic volley goal Aug. 31 against Forge FC.

Poku, 20, who made 21 appearances for Forge in his second season with the club, excelled as an attacking winger and left back. The Canadian under-20 international, a native of Brampton, Ont., finished the season with two goals and two assists as well as 13 interceptions and 65 ball recoveries.

Voting for CPL’s annual awards is based on performances during the regular season, not including Canadian Championship, CONCACAF or playoff action. 

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2023

The Canadian Press