PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have acquired midfielder Santiago Moreno, it was announced today by the club. He joins the club from América de Cali of the Categoría Primera A, the top flight in Colombia. Under contract through 2025, Moreno will occupy an international and a U22 Initiative Slot. He will be added to the Timbers’ roster, pending a physical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa.
Portland acquired the priority to Moreno from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for $50,000 General Allocation Money.
“Santiago is a talented young player, who has already showcased his qualities at the club level and in Copa Libertadores,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager and president of soccer. “He is a player that we believe can provide an impact in multiple positions in the attack. We are excited to continue supporting his development, and see him becoming an important contributor to the club.”
Moreno, 21, has played three seasons for América de Cali. The Cali, Colombia native made his professional debut in Categoría Primera A on August 25, 2019 at the age of 18, and has made 52 appearances across all competitions with club.
“There has been a lot of interest in Santiago Moreno from many teams, so the fact that he decided to come to Portland makes us feel special,” said Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese. “We are all excited to have a talented player coming here that will provide us many great assets but still has room to develop, and I believe that Portland is a very good place for him to continue to grow.”
In 2021, Moreno has made 26 appearances across all competitions for América de Cali, featuring in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores tournaments. He scored in back-to-back matches in Copa Libertadores, against Atlético Mineiro (May 13) and Deportivo La Guaira (May 19), totaling a team-best six goals across all competitions in 2021.
Logging 25 appearances in 2020, the Colombian midfielder recorded three goals and two assists. Notably, Moreno scored in the first leg of the Categoría Primera A championship against Independiente Sante Fe on December 21, 2020, and helped the club to their second consecutive league title. In 2019, he appeared in 11 matches, logging one goal and one assist in Liga Dimayor play.
Transaction: Portland Timbers sign midfielder Santiago Moreno through the 2025 season, acquiring the priority to him from Philadelphia Union in exchange for $50,000 General Allocation Money. Moreno will occupy an international and a U22 Initiative roster slot, pending a physical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa.
Santiago Moreno
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 148
Date of Birth: April 21, 2000
Age: 21
Birthplace: Cali, Colombia
Citizenship: Colombia
Last Club: América de Cali
Acquired: Signed July 28, 2021
Roster Designation: International
