Brampton’s Kwasi Poku in the running for Canadian Premier League Best Under-21 Player Award

Brampton’s Kwasi Poku could be crowned the Canadian Premier League’s Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award.

The 20-year-old from Brampton plays with Forge FC and has been nominated alongside Vancouver FC’s James Cameron and Valour FC’s Matteo De Brienne for the award, with the winner decided in a vote by CPL club technical leadership and select media.

Poku, 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 finished the season with two goals and two assists as well as 13 interceptions and 65 ball recoveries.

The winner will be announced Oct. 26 in Hamilton ahead of the CPL final weekend.

Cameron, 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.

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

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