The Portland Timbers have moved from midfielder Darlington Nagbe, trading him to Atlanta United in exchange for $1.65 million in allocation money as reported by ESPN. The trade also includes defender Gbenga Arokoyo going to United while the Timbers will receive 2018 international spot.
“Thank you, Portland, and everyone that supported my family and me the past seven years,” – said Nagbe in a statement.
Nagbe, who is a member of United States men’s national soccer team since 2015, was one of Atlanta’s top targets in the offseason.
“He is a perfect fit for our style of play as he has a dynamic ability to dribble out of trouble, maintain possession and make passes that bring additional players into the game,” – said Atlanta vice president and technical director, Carlos Bocanegra.
The 27-year-old played college soccer at the University of Akron and also spent time with Cleveland Internationals in the USL Premier Development League. With the Internationals he played 18 games, scoring on seven occasions. After the Timbers selected Nagbe in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, he went on to star in 214 games for the team, scoring 27 goals. Although Darlington Nagbe was born in Liberia, he was eligible for the USMNT after receiving his U.S. green card in 2012. He made his debut on November 13, 2015, and went on to play 24 games for the national team, scoring one goal in the process.
Atlanta United began playing in 2017 season, joining as an expansion franchise and ending with 15-9-10. The team reached the knockout round of the playoffs but was eliminated by the Columbus Crew SC. Portland Timbers, on the other hand, were eliminated by the Houston Dynamo in the conference semifinals after finishing first in the Western Conference.
