Jonathan Sigal Twitter Facebook Duplicate TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer The Portland Timbers have actually moved midfielder Diego Valeri to Club Atletico Lans, it was introduced Thursday. The Argentine Primera Divisin side is the 35-year-old's boyhood club, with the action ending a nine-year run for the MLS tale. Together with Valeri's transfer, Portland will certainly play Lans in a friendly testimonial match at Providence Park in 2023 where the midfielder will play one half for each and every group. After Valeri retires, he will come to be an ambassador for the Timbers. "I do not believe there has been a much more impactful Designated Player signing in the background of MLS than Diego Valeri, " Timbers proprietor as well as chief executive officer Merritt Paulson claimed in a launch. "He transformed what clubs looked for in a DP-- not a brand to place fans in the seats and market sponsorships, but an increasing European-level talent who selected to make America his home and also legacy. "In Portland, he has meant every little thing to us on the pitch and also in the community. While one phase finishes today, this is not completion of Diego Valeri in Portland, and also I can not wait for followers to have the opportunity to appropriately recognize him personally. Thanks, Diego. For whatever." Valeri initially joined Portland in 2013 from Lans and also has come to be the Timbers' regular-season leader in goals scored (86) as well as helps (91 ), plus rates second in group history in games played (262) and also starts (230 ). A five-time MLS All-Star guest of honor, Valeri was named the Landon Donovan MLS MVP in 2017 and also earned three MLS Ideal XI acknowledgments (2013, 2014, 2017). He was named MLS Newbie of the Year in 2013. "I would love to start by claiming a definite thanks to Diego, Florencia and their exceptional daughter, Connie, that have been an important component of the club for the last 9 seasons, " Timbers GM and president of football Gavin Wilkinson claimed in a release. "I can confidently say that there will certainly never ever be an additional like Diego Valeri in eco-friendly as well as gold. On the field, his performances aided alter the trajectory of this club. Off of it, the humility and also generosity he as well as his family revealed the community has actually left a lasting perception on the whole city of Rose city.". Understanding that our # 8 will certainly play one more game in the City of Roses, a location he called residence for over 9 years, is something that we checked out as important to honor Diego as well as the mark he has actually left on the Portland Timbers household, " Wilkinson continued. "We eagerly anticipate offering our followers the opportunity to see him take the area at Divine superintendence Park one last time. Diego Valeri is identified with Portland soccer. We give thanks to Diego for his various contributions for many years as well as his determined commitment to the club and also understand that he will be successful in all of his future ventures-- no matter where they take him." pic.twitter.com/pfhDod46Cz— Diego Valeri () January 20, 2022 With Valeri, Portland won MLS Cup 2015 as well as made two other Audi MLS Mug Playoff finals (in 2018 and also 2021). They likewise won the MLS is Back Event title in 2020. In 2020, Valeri ended up being the 3rd player in MLS history to tape-record 80 objectives and 80 aids in their regular-season job. He videotaped 7 or more assists in each of his first 8 periods with the Timbers, signing up with Brad Davis, Preki and also Marco Etcheverry as the only players in MLS background to videotape 7 or more helps in 8 consecutive periods. "There are no words to define what Diego Valeri stands for to the Portland Timbers and MLS, " Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese claimed in a launch. "He gave being a Designated Gamer a new significance, setting the greatest of standards in the organization. There aren't several players that can be identified for having the influence and consistency that Diego had with the Timbers. With his mastery of the sphere, 'El Maestro' bestowed with his video game and affordable nature what Rose city required to constantly be just one of the most competitive groups in the league. "It will be an unusual sensation to not see him in our locker space, " Savarese continued. "My wish as a head coach was to see him retire with the Timbers, but occasionally soccer exercises in various methods. I desire Diego all the very best in his go back to Lans, the club that saw him grow, and to his attractive family Franck Boli T-Shirt, Florencia and Connie, in their go back to Argentina. His humility as well as his soccer will certainly constantly be synonymous to the Portland Timbers." Diego Valeri permanently. pic.twitter.com/Yy3SlOY11X— Big league Football () January 20, 2022 Valeri was called to Major League Football's The 25 Best pres. by AT&T task, a group recognizing the 25 brightest stars in organization history. With Valeri's departure, Portland's longest-tenured gamer continues to be protective midfielder Diego Chara. The club is additionally in discussions to bring back midfielder Sebastian Blanco after an MLS Cup 2021 defeat to NYCFC. Jonathan Sigal -