Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey has been awarded the Community Player of the Year accolade for his humanitarian activities off the pitch.

The 27-year-old shot-stopper, who was in action as his side lost 1-0 to Sporting KC over the weekend, received the recognition for his efforts towards the Portland community in the state of Oregon in the USA where his club is based.

According to officials, Kwarasey had a good rapport with athletes participating in the Cascadia Unified Challenge, contributed to the Special Olympics Oregon, having as well visited the Children’s Cancer Association in the community and making some few donations.

A citation in his honour read: “Taking an active role in the community through the club’s Stand Together platform, Kwarasey was engaged and dedicated to making a positive impact in the community as he participated in Stand Together Week with Playworks, worked with Special Olympics Oregon, interacting with athletes participating in the Cascadia Unified Challenge and visited the Children’s Cancer Association.”

The ex-Valerenga man joined Timbers last December after captaining Stromsgodset to the Norwegian league title in 2014.

Kwarasey has been one of the most impressive performers in Major League Soccer having kept 12 clean sheets in 30 matches.

He is expected to be named in Ghana squad to face Canada in an international friendly on October 13 in Washington after 16 months of absence from the Black Stars.