TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Roster Update
The Portland Timbers announced several roster moves ahead of the 2019 season on Thursday. They have signed center back Claude Dielna using Targeted Allocation Money, for the 2019 season, after acquiring his rights in a prior trade from the New England Revolution.
Dielna, 31, spent the last season and a half with New England, making 28 MLS regular season appearances in central defense. The Frenchman will likely see playing time alongside fellow Francophone Larrys Mabiala in the middle of Portland's defense.
In addition to Dielna's signing, three players will be returning for the Timbers, as goalkeeper Steve Clark and midfielder Andres Flores were re-signed for the upcoming season, while midfielder Tomas Conechny will return for another season on loan from Argentine club San Lorenzo.
Clark, 32, was claimed off waivers in August and went on to make eight appearances in 2018 for Portland. Flores, 28, was first signed ahead of the 2018 season and made 26 MLS regular season appearances, the majority as a substitute.
Conechny, 20, was signed during the 2018 secondary transfer window as a promising young attacker, but saw limited time on the field with the first team in 2018, playing in just four games for 72 total minutes.
The Timbers also announced they have recalled midfielder Eryk Williamson from his loan at Portuguese side CD Santa Clara. A rookie in 2018, Williamson was loaned out in August after featuring for Portland's USL Championship team, but did not make any competitive appearances in Portugal.
Portland open the 2019 MLS regular season on March 2 on the road against the Colorado Rapids.
