For the second consecutive season, Cavalry FC’s Daan Klomp has been named the Canadian Premier League’s Defender of the Year. He was honoured as the 2024 recipient of the award on Thursday at the CPL Awards in Calgary.

Klomp played 90 minutes in all but one match for the Cavs this season, who allowed a league-low 27 goals in 28 matches for the second straight year.

The 26-year-old Dutch central defender played a key role in that strong defensive record. He finished first in the league in blocks with 23, second in aerial duels won (88), and won 59.13 per cent of his overall duels contested this season.

Klomp also played a significant role in Cavalry’s build-up from the back, completing 1412 passes, third most in the league. He added a career-high six goals as well.

Fellow 2024 Defender of the Year nominee Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson of Forge FC was the inaugural recipient of the award when it was first introduced in 2022. Valour FC defender Themi Antonoglou was also nominated this season after an outstanding campaign in his debut season with the Winnipeg club.

The Defender of the Year is awarded the Walrus, an Inuit soapstone sculpture carved by artist Roman Komangapik.