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SportsPortland Timbers to sign Dutch forward Vincent Janssen as free agent
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The Portland Timbers are set to sign Dutch forward Vincent Janssen as a free agent, according to sources. The 32-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur and AZ Alkmaar striker will not occupy a designated player slot. He replaces Felipe Mora, who is departing for Liga MX side Atlético San Luis after scoring a double in his farewell match. Janssen has prior North American experience with Monterrey, where he scored 24 goals and won the 2021 Concacaf Champions League. Most recently, he captained Royal Antwerp in Belgium, recording 13 goals and seven assists last season. Janssen earned 22 caps for the Netherlands and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad. The signing is the first major move under new head coach Martí Cifuentes. Portland sits 10th in the Western Conference, two points below the playoff line with 17 matches remaining.
Source report
Tom Goyvaerts / Belga / AFP / Getty Images
By Tom Bogert
The Portland Timbers are set to sign Dutch forward Vincent Janssen, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic.
Key Details
- Janssen is a free agent after leaving Royal Antwerp this summer.
- He will not occupy a designated player slot for the Timbers, sources add.
- The deal coincides with the departure of Felipe Mora to Atlético San Luis of Liga MX.
Player Profile
Janssen, a 32-year-old forward, has prior experience in North America, having signed for Mexican powerhouse Monterrey from Tottenham in 2019. During his time there:
- Scored 24 goals in three seasons
- Was part of the team’s Concacaf Champions League title in 2021
More recently, Janssen remained productive in Belgium. Last season, he recorded:
- 13 goals and 7 assists in 40 appearances (3,579 minutes) across all competitions
- Served as captain of Royal Antwerp
Career Highlights
Janssen has been the subject of several big-money transfers, the largest coming when he joined Tottenham for approximately $25 million in 2016 from AZ Alkmaar. He had just won the Dutch league Golden Boot with 27 goals in the 2015–16 season.
The center forward earned 22 caps for the Netherlands, scoring seven goals, and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad.
Context for Portland
Portland is entering a new era under head coach Martí Cifuentes, who took the job earlier this month. Janssen is the first key signing of the summer transfer window, and the team is likely to remain active.
Competition for Minutes
- Janssen will compete with Venezuelan international Kevin Kelsy for minutes.
- The two may be able to play together at times.
- Kelsy, 21, has eight goals this season, including six in his last six matches.
Current Standings
- Portland sits 10th in the Western Conference.
- They are just two points below the playoff line with 17 matches left.
- Since returning from a World Cup break, Portland has won both matches:
- A 5-1 thrashing of rival Seattle Sounders
- A 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, spearheaded by a double from Mora, who capped his six-year run in Portland in storybook fashion.
What You Should Read Next: MLS says it’ll ‘take it from here’ after the World Cup. So where is the league going? — MLS has made a bold proclamation amid its quest to crack the global elite. Will its actions match the stated ambition?
Source
Soccer - The AthleticWestern
Part of this Story
Portland Timbers to sign Dutch, ex-Tottenham forward Vincent Janssen