Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri returns home to Argentina.
The Timbers announced an agreement with Lanus on Thursday for the transfer of the 35-year-old former league MVP. Lanus plays in the Argentine First Division. A nine-year Timbers veteran, Valeri has scored 100 goals and 104 assists in 306 games in all competitions.
He leads the team in the regular season in goals (86) and assists (91). Valeri is only the third player in MLS history to reach 80 goals and 80 assists in the regular season. He was named MLS Cup Most Valuable Player in 2015 when the Timbers beat the Columbus Crew for the league championship.
In 2017, he was honored as league MVP after scoring 21 goals and 11 assists. He was a five-time MLS All-Star and in 2020 was named one of the league’s 25 Greatest Players.
“I don’t believe there has been a more impactful Designated Player signing in MLS history than Diego Valeri,” Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement. “He changed what clubs were looking for in a DP – not a brand to put fans in seats and sell sponsorships, but rising European talent who chose to make America his home and his legacy. »
Valeri has also become a beloved member of the Portland community, known for painting playrooms for foster children and playing futsal games. Valeri and her family were strong supporters of the Portland Thorns, the National Women’s Soccer League team. Valeri is a product of the Lanus academy, which he joined when he was 9 years old. He then played 158 games with the senior team from 2003 to 2013.
In addition to the transfer, the Timbers and Lanus have agreed to a testimonial match in Portland next year, in which Valeri will play one half for each team. Details have yet to be announced.
Upon retirement, Valeri will become a Timbers ambassador.
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