PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has exercised the purchase option on forward Fanendo Adi from Danish first-division side FC Copenhagen, signing the Nigerian striker to a multiyear contract as a Designated Player. Adi was originally acquired by the Timbers on loan from FC Copenhagen on May 13, 2014. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Taking a player on loan prior to purchasing his rights gives you a first-hand look at the player in every regard and reduces the risk,” said Portland Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “With Adi performing well and fitting into the club culture and team dynamics, the decision to take up the purchase option was an easy one. He is young and has already shown the ability to be a dominant forward in this league.”
Quickly making his presence felt after joining the Timbers, Adi, 23, netted a pair of braces in his first two starts after joining the club on loan in May, and has four goals and two assists in six league matches (3 starts) for Portland this season.
“Obviously, Adi has made an immediate impact with our club and we are extremely pleased to have him on board now long-term,” said Timbers head coach Caleb Porter. “He has proven to be an ideal fit in our system and possesses qualities that will make him a very effective striker in this league. We look forward to his contributions for years to come.”
Adi was named Major League Soccer’s Player of the Week for Week 14 for a two-goal effort in a 3-1 win at Real Salt Lake on June 7. Tallying an assist on a crucial, game-tying goal as a substitute in his first appearance with the Timbers against Columbus on May 17, Adi went on to tally both goals in a 2-0 victory at Chivas USA in his first start with Portland on May 28.
Adi appeared in nine league matches (6 starts) for FC Copenhagen during the 2013-14 Danish Super Ligaen season, scoring three goals, including a tally in his debut for the club in a 1-1 draw against FC Vestsjælland on Aug. 25, 2013. The 6-foot-4 forward also featured in three group-stage matches during the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League tournament, earning a start in a 1-1 draw against Italian club Juventus and making substitute appearances against Real Madrid and Turkish club Galatasaray.
Prior to joining FC Copenhagen, Adi played for Slovakian second-division side AS Trenčín from 2009-11, registering 18 league goals in 41 matches. In two separate stints with the club (2009-11; 2012-13), Adi recorded 27 goals in 60 league matches.
Adi will occupy an international and second Designated Player spot on the Timbers’ roster.
Fanendo Adi
Pronunciation: fah-NEN-doe ah-dee
Position: Forward
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
Born: Oct. 10, 1990, in Lagos, Nigeria
Last Club: FC Copenhagen
College: n/a
Citizenship: Nigeria
Acquired: Contract purchased from FC Copenhagen on June 23, 2014, and signed to a multiyear contract. Originally acquired on loan from FC Copenhagen on May 13, 2014
