The Portland Timbers are finalizing a deal to sign Brazilian winger Antony from Portuguese club Arouca, sources involved in the deal confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Antony will hit the Timbers roster as a U-22 Initiative signing and the deal will be worth around $3.5 million.
- The club opened a slot by putting David Ayala on the season-ending injured list earlier this year.
- The 21-year-old had six goals and one assist in 33 league appearances on loan at Arouca last season. Arouca finished fifth in the Portuguese top flight.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What Antony brings to Portland
Antony adds to an attack built around No. 10 Evander, giving Gio Savarese another option on the wing with Yimmi Chará, Santi Moreno, Dairon Asprilla and Marvin Loría. Moreno requested a transfer from the club earlier this month after contract talks broke down.
Backstory
Portland signed Peru international center back Miguel Araujo earlier this window and had aimed to bring in a young winger. The club waived defender Pablo Bonilla last week.
The Timbers sit 12th in the Western Conference with 26 points after 23 matches. They are three points below the playoff line.
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(Photo: Jose Manuel Alvarez / Quality Sport Images / Getty)
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