Veteran defender Liam Ridgewell is putting an end to his stint with Portland Timbers. Ridgewell, who spent the last five MLS seasons with the franchise, mutually agreed to part ways with Timbers, the team has announced.
“Liam is quite simply one of the most important and influential signings in Timbers history,” – said Timbers owner Merritt Paulson in a statement. “Not only has he been a top defender in MLS since his arrival but he is a winner who greatly contributed to our locker room culture. I thank Liam and will miss him.”
Liam Ridgewell joined the Timbers in 2014 and has since played 97 games for the team while scoring six goals. He has two MLS All-Star selections while also helping the team to win the MLS Cup in 2015.
“Liam is a high-quality player and professional that played a critical role in our run to MLS Cup this past season,” – added head coach of the Timbers Giovanni Savarese. “It was a great pleasure to work with a player that has been extremely impactful to the success of the Portland Timbers organization. I wish him great success in all of his future pursuits.”
Ridgewell also released a statement following his exit, thanking Portland’s fans for the support and saying he is looking forward to the next chapter in his career.
“It has been an absolute pleasure playing in Portland for the past five seasons, and I am grateful to the fans and everyone involved for the opportunity,” – said Ridgewell. “I am very proud of what we achieved together, and at the same time I am very excited about what the future holds for me as I move on to the next chapter in my career.”
Liam Ridgewell spent the better part of his professional career in England, where he played for various teams including Aston Villa, Birmingham, and WBA among others.
