PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired defender Pablo Bonilla from its USL Championship affiliate T2. Bonilla will occupy an international roster slot pending renewal of his P-1 visa.
“We are excited to add Pablo to the first team roster from T2,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. “He has settled in well and we believe he has the necessary qualities, personality and attributes to be very successful in this league.”
In one USL Championship appearance with T2 in 2020, Bonilla, 20, logged one assist in 90 minutes played against Phoenix Rising FC on March 7. Notably, Bonilla made two appearance for the Timbers in the 2020 Timbers Preseason Tournament, making a substitute appearance in a 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Feb. 16 and starting against Minnesota United FC on Feb. 19.
A native of Píritu, Venezuela, Bonilla, joined T2 from Deportivo La Guaira Fútbol Club (2019), where he made six appearances (six starts) in the Apertura Tournament, scoring a goal in his debut. Prior to joining La Guaira, Bonilla made his professional debut as a 17-year-old with Portuguesa Fútbol Club (2017-19), appearing in 66 matches (65 starts) and registering three goals and seven assists.
“Pablo is a tenacious player with a hard-working mentality who is developing very well,” said Giovanni Savarese, head coach of the Timbers. “He has great attributes and qualities that will make him a very strong right back.”
At the international level, Bonilla was called in by the Venezuela U-23 Men’s National Team for the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament, where he started and played three consecutive first round matches. Bonilla made nine appearances (nine starts) at the 2019 CONMEBOL Sudamericano Sub 20 Tournament in Chile and three appearances (three starts) at the 2018 Juegos Suramericanos in Cochabamba, Bolivia, tallying one goal in a 4-1 victory against Bolivia.
Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire defender Pablo Bonilla from USL Championship side T2 on June 18, 2020
Pablo Bonilla
Position: Defender
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Born: December 2, 1999, in Píritu, Venezuela
Last Club: T2 (USL Championship)
Citizenship: Venezuela
Acquired: Acquired on June 18, 2020
