By FRANCO PANIZO
In need of some help, the Portland Timbers have added some more power to their front line.
The Timbers announced on Tuesday that they have signed Nigerian forward Fanendo Adi on loan with from Danish club FC Copenhagen. The loan for the 23-year-old Adi comes with an option to buy and his 6-foot-4 frame gives the club a different type of option from what it currently has up top.
“Fanendo is a young and ambitious player with UEFA Champions League experience and we feel that his acquisition on short-term loan, with the option to purchase, provides a great opportunity for both the player and our club,” Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson told the club’s official website. “This loan allows us to add a quality player into the mix as we are always looking to develop our roster now and in the future.”
Adi, who will occupy an international slot on Portland’s roster, has been struggling for playing time at Copenhagen this season. He made just six starts in nine appearances, scoring three goals in the process.
Portland is currently, and surprisingly, in last place in the Western Conference in MLS, sitting on nine points from 10 games. The club has scored 13 goals this season – which puts the Timbers in the middle of the pack among MLS sides – but is hoping to strengthen its forward corps.
“Adi gives us another striker piece to further strengthen our roster,” Timbers head coach Caleb Porter told the club’s website. “His air play and ability to hold the ball as more of a target option will complement the qualities of our other players while providing a different dimension to our attack.”
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What do you think of the Timbers reportedly eyeing Adi as a potential summer acquisition? How much would this addition help the club? Would you prefer to see Portland sign a defender?
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