Tesho Akindele has been named the 2014 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year.
The 22-year old Canadian forward landed the prize after an impressive debut season in MLS which yielded seven goals and three assists in 26 appearances for FC Dallas.
Akindele, who beat Chicago Fire midfielder Harry Shipp and DC United defender Steve Birnbaum, admitted he was over the moon to have been given the chance by FCD to prove himself in MLS.
"At the beginning of the year, I had the highest hopes," Akindele said.
"I wasn't getting too much time, but as things went on, I got so much playing time, got to score goals, in the roster all the time. It's been a fantastic year. I couldn't be happier."
Akindele is eligible to represent both his country of birth Canada and the nation he moved to with his Nigerian parents at a young age - the USA - at international level but is yet to make a decision regarding his allegiance.
"I don't know what the future might hold. I've talked to both the US and Canada camps, and I guess we will see what happens in the future," he added.
Congratulations to Tesho Akindele (@Tesho13), the 2014 AT&T Rookie of the Year: http://t.co/SczkjWAWFy#DTIDpic.twitter.com/gGmwpK77Nl
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 24, 2014
