With RWDM Brussels Losing Its Pro Status, What’s Next For Kwasi Poku?

The proverbial trainwreck of RWDM Brussels has escalated once again: what began with transfer bans and a point deduction as punishment for the club’s financial insolvency now sees the side forced out of professional football entirely, at least for the time being.

Former Canadian Premier League footballer Kwasi Poku looks set for free agency given that he was on a professional contract with the distressed second tier side.

See Also: Cash-Strapped RWDM Brussels Still Owes Forge FC Money

Following a points deduction in Belgian’s second tier this season, RWDM Brussels still managed a thirteenth-place finish. While that would mathematically rule out relegation, the club’s financial decline has now seen Brussels fail to obtain a professional club license and, therefore, get ousted from the professional league entirely.

The Belgian side has, at least, managed to obtain an amateur license for the time being, ensuring their technical survival as a team.

“The club therefore continues to exist, and given the circumstances, that is certainly the most important thing,” RWDM Brussels says in a statement.

The fact that Brussels has now left the professional ranks is horrible news for Poku’s former side Forge FC, whom RWDM Brussels had acquired in a record Canadian Premier League transfer with a rumoured value of $800,000 plus a 20% sell-on clause.

There is still a balance owing to Forge, with Brussels previously disclosing that a deferral agreement had been made for the due balance to give Brussels time to sort its financials. Today’s news makes it less likely that the Hamilton, Ontario-based club will see the money owed, while the sell-on fee will be moot if the forward becomes a free agent.

Poku put in just over 400 minutes for the side this season, racking up two goals. The two-time CPL champion featured for Brussels some 31 times overall, adding six goals over the last two years.

The 23-year-old, who has a sole cap for Canada, had become an absolute phenom with Forge FC following a successful conversion from left-back to striker that saw him tally thirteen goals and five assists before his chapter in Europe beckoned.

While it’s unclear what comes next for Kwasi Poku, there’d be no shortage of Canadian Premier League interest in the forward if he wishes to come home. In fact, history could repeat itself given that Forge once saw star midfielder Tristan Borges head to Belgium before reprising his role with the hammers afterwards.

Header Image Photo Courtesy: RWDM Brussels