Claude Dielna and the New England Revolution defense held the potent Sporting Kansas City attack scoreless on Saturday night (photo credit: Kari Heistad)
The Portland Timbers are shaping up again to be a contender for 2019. As the Rose City squad is looking forward to reinforce its defensive backfield. A trade mentioned for days between the Portland Timbers and New England Revolution finally has become official. Claude Dielna comes with a price tag of $100,000, in General Allocation Money on an operation performed by both sides.
The arrival of this center back is somehow a relief but not in its entirety. In spite of the CV this man comes with, still he will need to fight his way into the starting lineup. In spite of the referential, Claude Dielna comes from his playing days in the Revolution. Still he will face hefty competition against returning Timber players Bill Poni Tuiloma, and Julio Cascante.
His arrival in New England came as a Designated Player on July 28, 2017. In his first year, he had 26 starts in 28 games in two seasons, by accumulating a total of 2,279 minutes. By 2018, he played in 17 matches (15 starts) and logged 1,334 minutes.
His time in Europe he played 160 matches for seven teams. His professional debut was in Lorient but his playing debut was with FC Istres from 2008-2012 with 95 appearances and 1 goal, moving to Olimpiacos of the Greek Super League. He was sent on loan to Sedan from 2012-2013 with 22 appearances, 2013-2014 with Ajaccio recording 25 appearances. He signed to English Championship League side Sheffield Wednesday from 2014-2017 with 23 appearances and one goal.
Again, put on loan to Slovan Bratislava of the Slovakia Super League from 2015-2016 for a year with four appearances and finishing with Dinamo Bucaresti of the Romanian League with just ten appearances in 2017. On that year Sheffield Wednesday release him and instead of his move to Dinamo Bucaresti as expected his move to Major League Soccer on July 28, 2017 to the New England Revolution.
Claude Dielna comes to Portland Timbers with an impressive CV and is familiar with the league game. For sure, he will make an impact in the Rose City backfield and with the competition that manager Giovanni Savarese institutes in his training camps. I have no doubts of this man can regain his old form and deliver success in his year to play for the Portland Timbers.
As many see Claude Dielna making a one two combination in center back with Larrys Mabiala. Adding some Francophonie translated in a stingy and overzealous defending from these two in the Portland backfield.
Source: Portland Timbers Communications
