Gillingham FC striker Simeon Jackson has been named Canada's male soccer player of the year for 2009.

The 22-year old Jamaican-born Jackson edged out Toronto FC midfielders Dwayne De Rosario and Julian de Guzman and was surprised but proud to clinch the title.

"It's an honour to win this award and I didn't even think I was going to be one of the players who was going to get nominated, but it's good to be recognized on that level," Jackson said.

It has been a stellar year for the former Rushden & Diamonds man that included the winner for Gillingham that promoted them to League One last season and also brought about his first cap for the Canadian national team.