<
>

Portland Timbers sign Yimmi Chara as a Designated Player

The Portland Timbers have acquired Colombia international winger Yimmi Chara as a Designated Player from Brazil's Atletico Mineiro, the club announced on Thursday.

"Yimmi is a player we have followed closely for nearly 10 years and having the resources made available to bring him to Portland is tremendous for everyone in the club," Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson said in a team statement.

"He is a quality player and person who has proved himself at the highest level for both club and country and having two Charas on the same team is something we are all very excited about."

The 28-year-old Chara will join his brother, Diego Chara, with the Timbers. Diego, a midfielder, has been a club mainstay since joining from Deportes Tolima in 2011.

"I am very happy and excited to join the Timbers. Everything my brother has done and what he has mentioned about the team and the city is a great indication of what things could be for me and my family next season," said Yimmi Chara.

"I am going through a great moment in my career and I feel confident I will be able to give the organization my best to help them achieve their goals on and off the field."

Yimmi Chara made 56 appearances for Atletico since joining from Colombia's Junior FC in the summer of 2018. He scored seven goals and gave eight assists during his time in Belo Horizonte.

He has appeared 10 times for his country, scoring one goal.