PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired midfielder George Fochive (fo-SHEE-vay), it was announced today by the club. Fochive, originally drafted by the Timbers in 2014, joins the club from Israeli side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC.
Fochive comes to the Timbers after having played the last three seasons in the Israeli Premier League with Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC (2021), Hapoel Kfar Saba FC (2020-21), and Hapoel Hadera FC (2019-20). With Hapoel Hadera, Fochive tallied three goals in 40 appearances across all competitions. He made 17 appearances in his one season with Hapoel Kfar Saba (2020-21) and appeared in seven matches earlier this year for Bnei Yehuda, tallying one goal.
Prior to his time in the Israeli Premier League, Fochive played four seasons with Danish Superliga side Viborg FF (2016-2019). The 29-year-old registered three goals in 64 appearances across all competitions.
The Washington, D.C., native began his professional career in Portland, selected by the Timbers with the first pick in the third round (No. 39 overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Connecticut. Fochive made his Timbers debut in a 3-0 win over Orlando City U23s in the U.S. Open Cup on June 17, 2014, and was as a second-half substitute in Concacaf Champions League competition against Alpha United on Sept. 23, 2014. He also appeared in seven matches on loan with USL side Sacramento Republic FC during his rookie season.
In 11 MLS regular-season appearances in 2015, Fochive made eight starts in his second season with the Timbers. He made his MLS regular-season debut against Real Salt Lake on March 7, starting and logging 86 minutes in the club’s season opener. He tallied his first career MLS assist against the Colorado Rapids in a 4-1 win on Oct. 25 at Providence Park. Fochive also made seven appearances on loan with T2 in USL during the 2015 season, recording four goals.
Transaction: Portland Timbers sign midfielder George Fochive through 2022.
George Fochive
Pronunciation: (fo-SHEE-vay)
Position: Midfielder
Jersey Number: 14
Height: 5’9
Weight: 172
Date of Birth: March 24, 1992
Age: 29
Birthplace: Washington D.C.
Citizenship: U.S.
College: University of Connecticut
Last Club: Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC.
Acquired: Acquired on June 8, 2021
Roster Designation: Domestic
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