Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi has been nominated for the Major League Soccer (MLS) Defender of the Year award following an outstanding debut season with Nashville SC.

The 25-year-old earned a place on the shortlist after playing a pivotal role in Nashville's impressive 2026 campaign, helping the club finish top of the Eastern Conference during the regular season.

Woledzi will battle teammates Jeisson Palacios and Andy Najar for the prestigious individual honour, with Nashville dominating the category after another outstanding defensive campaign.

The former Right to Dream Academy graduate has already been recognised by his club, winning Nashville SC's Defender of the Year award after establishing himself as a key figure in the team's backline.

His commanding performances helped Nashville capture the Supporters' Shield while anchoring the league's best defence, which recorded an impressive 17 clean sheets during the 2026 MLS season.

Woledzi featured in 34 league matches, scoring two goals and providing one assist in a remarkable all-round campaign.

The Ghanaian centre-back joined Nashville SC in January 2026 from Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad and has wasted little time adapting to life in Major League Soccer.