Gambian defender Mamadou Futty Danso’s Portland Timbers last week secured the services of Argentine playmaker Diego Valeri as a designated player.
The former Porto and Atletico Lanus midfielder joins Portland on loan for the 2013 MLS season.
Valeri spent last season with Atletico Lanus, where he was the captain during his second stint with the club (he played for from 2003 to 2009).
Valeri has also played for Portuguese power FC Porto and Spanish club Almeria.
Valeri has experience playing in the UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, and he has three caps for the Argentina national team.
In 158 matches in Argentina’s top flight, Valeri scored 25 goals.
“Diego Valeri is certainly a tremendous addition to the Timbers and will bring quality and creativity to our attack,” Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said on goal.com.
“We expect he will be one of the better playmakers in the league, but more importantly Diego fits our identity and his play should boost production to help the club win games.”
Danso last played for the Timbers in October against San Jose Earthquakes.
The timbers are expected to face New York Red Bulls in March during the opening of the MLC 2013 season.
