Portland Timbers Secure Brazilian Talent Antony through U22 Initiative

 Portland Timbers Secure Brazilian Talent Antony through U22 Initiative

Portland Timbers Secure Brazilian Talent Antony(Image-Getty)

In another display of their commitment to the U22 Initiative, the Portland Timbers have made a significant move in the international transfer market by acquiring Brazilian winger Antony from Portuguese club FC Arouca. The 21-year-old talent, distinct from the Manchester United star with the same name, has signed a contract that runs through the 2026 MLS season, with an option for 2027.

Antony arrives in Portland after an impressive spell with FC Arouca, where he recorded eight goals and three assists in a total of 63 appearances across various competitions. His contributions played a key role in helping his former club secure a commendable fifth-place finish in the 2022-23 Primeira Liga campaign, where they competed alongside traditional powerhouses like Sporting and Porto.

Expressing their excitement over the acquisition, Timbers' general manager Ned Grabavoy stated, "We are delighted to announce the addition of a talented young attacking player in Antony. We believe that his attributes will bring a different dimension to our team's offensive prowess. Antony is a player with immense potential and room for growth, and we are optimistic that he can make a positive impact with our club."

The U22 Initiative has been instrumental in Portland's transfer strategies in previous windows, leading to the acquisitions of fullback Juan Mosquera, midfielder David Ayala, and forward Santiago Moreno, among others. This initiative aims to assist clubs in acquiring promising young talents from abroad in a salary-cap friendly manner. This season, Portland had an opportunity to open a U22 Initiative slot following David Ayala's season-ending knee injury.

Antony marks Portland's third signing during the Secondary Transfer Window, with the club also securing Peruvian international center back Miguel Araujo from Dutch side FC Emmen and trading for Honduran international midfielder Bryan Acosta from the Colorado Rapids.

The additions of Antony, Araujo, and Acosta are crucial to the Timbers' aspirations of avoiding a second consecutive miss in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, especially after hosting the league's title match in 2021. As they have 11 regular-season games remaining, the Timbers currently occupy the 12th position in the Western Conference standings, trailing three points behind the postseason pace. Their bolstered squad aims to make a strong push for playoff redemption and ensure a competitive performance in the remaining matches.