The Portland Timbers on Tuesday added one forward and parted with another.
Nigerian forward Fanendo Adi joins the Timbers on loan from Danish first-division side FC Copenhagen. The Timbers waived forward Frederic Piquionne.
Adi, 23, is 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds. He figures to give the Timbers a needed striker who can be a threat in the air. Gaston Fernandez (5-7) and Maximiliano Urruti (6-0) have played the striker position this season.
“(Adi’s) air play and ability to hold the ball as more of a target option will complement the qualities of our other players while providing a different dimension to our attack,” Timbers coach Caleb Porter said.
Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson described this as a short-term loan with an option to purchase Adi from FC Copenhagen. As always, details of the deal were not made public.
Adi appeared in nine league matches (six starts) for FC Copenhagen during the 2013-14 Danish Super Ligaen season, scoring three goals. He played in three group-stage matches during the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League tournament.
“Fanendo is a young and ambitious player with UEFA Champions League experience,” Wilkinson said, adding that the loan “provides a great opportunity for both the player and our club.”
Piquionne has been away from the Timbers, reportedly for personal reasons, for several weeks. In 2013, he appeared in 21 games (seven starts) during the MLS regular season, recording one goal and five assists. This season, Piquionne made three substitute appearances for the Timbers.
Chara has surgery — Midfielder Diego Chara is expected to be out two weeks after having surgery on Monday to repair a broken left hand. Chara sustained the injury on Sunday in the Timbers 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy.
The Timbers MLS-career leader in minutes played at 8,489, Chara had played 1,688 consecutive MLS minutes before leaving with the injury.
