TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension
The Portland Timbers have signed goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic to a contract extension through the 2025 MLS season with an option for 2026, the club announced Tuesday.
The 29-year-old has been with the Timbers since 2019, joining the Pacific Northwest side from Slovenian PrvaLiga outfit NK Olimpija Ljubljana. He became Portland's starter in 2022 after Steve Clark joined Houston Dynamo FC in free agency.
“Aljaz has shown his level of commitment and dedication since joining the club in 2019. He characterizes the type of person and professional that are important within the Portland Timbers organization, “ Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy said in a release. “Aljaz has continued to work tirelessly, and is fully deserving of this moment. We look forward to him being a part of the club for years to come.”
Ivacic is coming off his best MLS season, which saw him post six clean sheets and a league-high 112 saves in 32 games (all starts). He earned MLS Team of the Matchday presented by Audi honors four times and was also given the club's Supporters' Player of the Year award.
“I’m extremely excited that Aljaz has signed a contract extension with the club. He has worked hard to earn his position within the team,” Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese said. “We expect him to continue to showcase his great abilities this season and are excited to continue to see him grow with us."
Ivacic has yet to make a 2023 appearance through Portland's first two MLS matches as he recovers from a slight preseason injury. Instead, Savarese started veteran David Bingham in a 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in Matchday 1 and a 3-2 road defeat to LAFC in Matchday 2.
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