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Timbers sign promising Paraguay midfielder Cristhian Paredes, 19

Paraguay international Cristhian Paredes signed with the Portland Timbers on loan from Club America on Friday.

Paredes, 19, has already been training with the Timbers during their preseason training camp in Arizona this week.

The Timbers will use targeted allocation money in the signing of the promising midfielder, and have an option to buy him from America on a permanent basis.

"We are excited to announce the acquisition of Cristhian Paredes to our squad for the upcoming MLS season," Portland gernal manager Gavin Wilkinson said. "Heading into the offseason, our goal was to identify young, talented players that can help the club achieve both its immediate and future aspirations.

"We believe Cristhian is a player that has the ideal skillset to benefit the organization for many years and we look forward to his contributions."

Parades started two games for America in Copa MX last year, scoring once, after moving to Mexico from Club Sol de América in his native country.

Parades earned his first senior cap with Paraguay in a friendly in June. He previously played with their youth teams at the 2015 U-17 World Cup and at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship.