Portland Timbers FC Acquire Defender Jorge Villafaña From Santos Laguna

PORTLAND, OREGON (Aug. 8, 2018) — After three years, Jorge Villafaña is back in the Rose City.

Villafaña, who was part of the 2015 MLS Cup championship winning team, was acquired via trade late Wednesday night. However, for the last three seasons, Villafaña has been part of Santos Laguna, the Liga MX club.

Portland Timbers FC Acquire Defender Jorge Villafaña

He made 53 appearances down in Mexico.

However, his time in Portland produced a championship. He spent two seasons with the club after beginning his club career with the former Chivas USA club. During his time with the Timbers, Villafaña made 52 appearances, scoring two goals and providing seven assists.

“It’s with great pleasure that we welcome back Jorge Villafaña to the Timbers,” Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer, said. “Jorge played a critical role in helping our club win its first MLS Cup in 2015, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Portland. He returns to the club as an even more experienced and seasoned professional, with his accomplishments with the U.S. National Team and his championship-winning success in Liga MX.”

“We look forward to his further contributions in his return to Portland.”

Beginning his career with Chivas USA, Villafaña made 86 appearances for the former California-based club.

Internationally, Villafaña has made 19 appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

“I have seen from afar the professional growth of Jorge Villafaña and how his progress has led to success, and we are very pleased to add him to our group,” Giovanni Savarese, Timbers head coach, said. “He is a proven winner, contributing to multiple championships over his career, and we believe he will be an impactful and important addition to our team.”

The Particulars

To acquire Villafaña, the Timbers used Targeted Allocation Money. However, according to the club, Portland also acquired the number one position in the Allocation Ranking from the LA Galaxy. In return, the Galaxy now have the No. 16 ranking.

Also, the Galaxy received $75,000 in General Allocation Money and $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money for 2019.

Thank you for your dedication to these colors, @JVillafana19!

An integral part of our 2018 title and so much more, good luck with @TimbersFC 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/yDMHRESJB4

— Club Santos EN (@ClubSantosEn) August 9, 2018

What’s Next for Portland?

On Saturday, the Timbers will take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at 8 p.m. ET.

Currently, the Timbers are in second place with 37 points.

Meanwhile, the Whitecaps sit in seventh place with 30 points.

Throwing it back to the last time we saw Jorge…. 🤩

Welcome home, @JVillafana19. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/AJtR03ZBe7

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 9, 2018