PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has signed midfielders Marvin Loría and Renzo Zambrano. Both players featured for the Timbers’ USL club, T2, helping guide the team to its first playoff appearance in 2018.
"The signing of Renzo and Marvin reflects the progress and potential of both players and justly rewards them," said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. "These signings also are a reflection of the effectiveness and growth of our T2 program, and we wish both players continued success with our club."
Loría, 21, signed with T2 for the 2018 USL season on loan from Costa Rican Primera División side Deportivo Saprissa. Loría made 30 appearances (25 starts) for T2, finishing the season with a team-high seven assists and recording six goals. A native of San José, Costa Rica, Loría spent four seasons at Deportivo Saprissa, appearing in 10 matches (6 starts) and registering one assist.
Loría joined Portuguese club Benfica B on loan from Saprissa in August 2015, where he made one appearance, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Galatasaray S.K. in the UEFA Youth League on Nov. 3, 2015. At the international level, Loría has made several appearances for Costa Rica at the youth level, including making three appearances (1 start) at the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Costa Rica.
“We are pleased to welcome Marvin and Renzo to the first team," said Giovanni Savarese, head coach of the Timbers. "They have shown their talents with T2 and in first-team training over the course of the season, and we are excited to help further their development through this new opportunity.”
Zambrano, 24, played two seasons for T2 after joining from Spanish side Real Vallodolid. Zambrano made seven appearances (7 starts) for Portland during the 2017 USL regular season. In 2018, Zambrano made 31 appearances (30 starts), tallying three goals and three assists.
The Aragua de Maturín, Venezuela, native made his debut in Venezuela’s Primera División Venezolana with Monagas SC in 2011. Zambrano spent two seasons with Monagas (2011-13), before joining A.C. Deportivo Lara for the 2014 Primera División Venezolana campaign, making 26 appearances (14 starts) and recording one goal. At the international level, Zambrano has made three appearances (3 starts) for the Venezuela Men’s National Team since making his debut and recording an assist in a 5-0 win over Bolivia in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Nov. 11, 2016.
Loría and Zambrano both will occupy international slots on the Timbers roster.
Transaction: Portland Timbers sign midfielders Marvin Loría and Renzo Zambrano on Dec. 10, 2018.
Marvin Loría
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Born: April 24, 1997, in San José, Costa Rica
Last Club: Portland Timbers 2
Citizenship: Costa Rica
Acquired: Signed on Dec. 10, 2018
Renzo Zambrano
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 150
Born: Aug. 26, 1994, in Aragua de Maturín, Venezuela
Last Club: Portland Timbers 2
Citizenship: Venezuela
Acquired: Signed on Dec. 10, 2018
