PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired Mexican defender Josecarlos Van Rankin on a one-year loan with an option to exercise a permanent transfer from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara, also known as Chivas, it was announced today. Van Rankin will occupy an international roster slot pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.
“Josecarlos is an experienced player whose flexibility to play numerous positions will help us not only in MLS, but in Concacaf Champions League play,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager and president of soccer. “Getting a proven player with his qualities on loan is a great acquisition at a beneficial cap number and provides an extended scouting opportunity with the ability to permanently transfer him in the future.”
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Van Rankin, 27, joins the Timbers after having played the last two Liga MX campaigns with Santos Laguna (2019-2021), on loan from Chivas. With Santos Laguna, Van Rankin tallied two goals in 25 appearances (23 starts) across all competitions. Van Rankin made 11 appearances (10 starts) in his first season at Santos (2019-20), while tallying two goals in 14 games played (13 starts) for Santos Laguna in Liga MX play (2020-21) last season.
Prior to joining Santos Laguna on loan, Van Rankin played two seasons with Chivas (2018-20), where he registered two goals and three assists in 44 appearances (43 starts) across all competitions. In the 2018-19 Liga MX Apertura, Van Rankin notched two goals and one assist in 17 games played, while tallying one assist in 16 appearances in the 2018-19 Liga MX Clausura for Chivas. Notably, Van Rankin made two appearances for Chivas in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup.
“Van Rankin is a quality player who will provide great attacking and defending balance,” said Giovanni Savarese, Timbers head coach. “We believe he will adapt quickly to MLS and his experience in Liga MX will be valuable across all competitions.”
The Mexico City, Mexico, native began his professional career with Liga MX side Pumas UNAM (2012-19), where he tallied seven goals and seven assists in 180 appearances (162 starts) across all competitions. Notably, Van Rankin made five appearances and tallied one goal for Pumas in the 2016-17 Concacaf Champions League, while making four appearances (3 starts) for Pumas in the 2016 Copa Libertadores.
At the international level, Van Rankin has made one appearance for the Mexico Men’s National Team, starting and tallying an assist in a 3-2 win over Costa Rica on Oct. 11, 2018. Additionally, Van Rankin has made multiple appearances for Mexico at the youth level, including being part of the U-20 team that won the 2013 Concacaf U-20 Championship and being named to the tournament Best XI.
Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire defender Josecarlos Van Rankin on a one-year loan with an option to exercise a permanent transfer from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara on Feb. 3, 2021.
Josecarlos Van Rankin
Position: Defender
Height: 5-8
Weight: 150
Born: May 14, 1993, in Mexico City, Mexico
Last Club: C.D. Guadalajara (Mexico)
Citizenship: Mexico
Acquired: Acquired on loan from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara, Feb. 3, 2021
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