By JUSTIN FERGUSON
One of the key players in the Portland Timbers’ rapid rise this season has been officially signed to the club on a permanent basis.
On Tuesday, the Timbers announced that designated player Diego Valeri’s contract had been purchased from Argentinian side Club Atlético Lanús. The midfielder has signed a multi-year contract with the Timbers, the details to which were not disclosed per league policy.
The 27-year-old Valeri, who was loaned to Portland in January, has four goals and eight assists so far in the 2013 season. He was named to the inactive list of MLS All-Stars last week, joining teammates Donovan Ricketts, Rodney Wallace and gameday selection Will Johnson.
Valeri has appeared in 20 of the Timbers’ 22 matches in 2013, and he leads the league with three multi-assist matches. The Argentinian scored in his MLS debut, netting an opening goal in a wild 3-3 match with the New York Red Bulls.
What do you think of this news? Excited to see Valeri staying in Portland on a permanent basis? How do you think this will affect the rest of the Timbers’ season?
Share your thoughts below.