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Silverbacks draft Poku from Revolution
poku
Georgia Revolution forward Kwadwo Poku was signed by the Atlanta Silverbacks Jan. 24. - photo by Photo courtesy of NASL

Atlanta – The Atlanta Silverbacks have signed forward Kwadwo Poku from the Georgia Revolution, the club announced Jan. 24.

“It feels really good to be joining the Silverbacks. Since I arrived in the United States, it has been a goal of mine to play at the professional level,” Poku said. “I’m excited to play for someone like Eric Wynalda because he has played at the highest level as an attacking player. I think I will be able to learn a lot from him.”

Poku, 21, joins the Silverbacks after spending three seasons with local National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) side Georgia Revolution. The 6-foot-2 forward started playing with the Conyers-based club in 2011 after coming to the United States from Ghana in late 2010.

It didn’t take long for Poku to settle in with the Revolution, as he immediately became the club’s most dangerous attacking player. The Kumasi, Ghana, native led the team in scoring each of the last two seasons, and even notched a team-high seven assists in 2013. Poku scored a hat-trick in the Revolution’s 4-3 win over the Real Colorado Foxes in the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open Cup – a result that set up a clash with the Silverbacks, ironically enough, in the next round.

“I was fortunate enough to attend that U.S. Open Cup game in Conyers last year, and I was very impressed with Kwadwo’s game,” said Silverbacks Technical Director Eric Wynalda. “We’re excited to bring in a young player with his abilities, and we feel that he has tremendous potential.”

Last year’s U.S. Open Cup matchup – won by the Silverbacks, 3-2 – wasn’t the only time Poku has played against his new club. The Silverbacks and Revolution met in the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup as well, with Poku starting and going the distance in a 1-0 Revolution loss.

Growing up in Kumasi, Poku played in the youth system of his hometown club, Asante Kotoko SC. The club is the most successful in Ghana Premier League history, winning a record 22 championships to go along with a pair of CAF Champions League crowns.

Poku, known for his strength and finishing abilities in and around the penalty area, will join the Silverbacks when preseason training camp begins in late February.

"One one hand, we are certainly sad to see Poku go," said Georgia Revolution General Manager Rafe Mauran. "He has been our most outstanding attacking player during our first three years, and the fans here in Conyers absolutely adore him. On the other hand, we are incredibly proud of and happy for him as he is beginning to realize his dream of playing soccer at the professional level."