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Awuah Enters Free Agency Following Whitecaps Trial
By Kwame Awuah’s trial with the Vancouver Whitecaps has come to a close.
The 26-year-old left-back had left a good impression at camp, but any potential return to Major League Soccer heights won’t be coming for him through the BC-based side.
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Manuel Veth reports that the move was nixed due to roster compliance concerns and where Awuah currently was in his career – perhaps wanting stable minutes – with both parties ultimately deciding that it was best to go their separate ways.
“Thank you to the Whitecaps organization for giving me the opportunity and welcoming me,” said Awuah of the trial, “it was a real pleasure.”
That means that the two-time CPL champion is currently in free agency status, where he’ll likely prove a hot commodity in the North American market.
Where Awuah will land next remains to be seen: while Forge is the obvious favourite to re-sign the league-leading full-back, he’s aiming to get consistent first team minutes. With Ashtone Morgan having now signed with the hammers, it’s not clear that his former club remains the best fit for him.
Should he land elsewhere in the Canadian Premier League, he’d be one of the biggest intra-league moves in league history. Having impressed on his trial with the Vancouver Whitecaps, however, it’s not set in stone that his next steps will be in the CPL.
The left-back’s professional career began with New York City FC, where he made eleven appearances after arriving as a first round draft pick from the University of Connecticut in 2017. Awuah had cut his teeth alongside the likes of Cyle Larin and Richie Laryea in League1 Ontario before that, having previously played under Bobby Smyrniotis with Sigma FC.
Awuah had described the last three seasons in the Canadian Premier League as having been the best of his career, with the 26-year-old cementing himself as a league-leading left-back who grew into a leader with the hammers. He mas made eighty appearances for Forge since arriving in 2019, contributing ten assists and scoring three goals through both domestic and continental action.
The Vancouver Whitecaps have now trialed three Canadian Premier League talents without signing any of them: before Awuah, the club had looked at Aboubacar Sissoko (now with Forge) and Amer Didic (now with Pacific).
With Forge FC already in the midst of preseason camp due to its upcoming Champions League debut, it’ll be interesting to see if a reunion is still on the cards for the left-back.
Whatever happens next, Kwame Awuah is certainly one to watch this offseason.