Photo Credit Portland Timbers F.C.
“We are pleased to welcome Miguel to the Portland Timbers,” said Ned Grabavoy, Timbers General Manager. “We believe Miguel provides us another solid option in defense, and his experience playing in various leagues and competitions throughout his career will be invaluable.”
It’s official. The Portland Timbers welcomes Peruvian center back Miguel Araujo in a full transfer from Dutch side FC Emmen, per the club reports today. He will sign a contract through the 2025 season with a club option till 2026.
The new center back will occupy an international spot on the roster in addition of his physical pending and to receive his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa. Being eligible for selection following the MLS transfer window on July 5.
The man from Peru comes with an impressive CV under his arm. Araujo, 28, joins the Portland Timbers after spending five seasons (2019-2023) at Eredivisie side FC Emmen in the Netherlands top tier league. In 118 appearances across all competitions and earning Player of the Year Honors and being vocal in his club promotion in 2022 from second division registering five goals and two assists in 29 appearances.
On the international stage, the man made 28 appearances for the Peruvian National Team and recently played in a friendly against Japan on June 16 with a 90-minute performance. Araujo received his first senior call on March 27, 2013 and making his debut in a friendly against Paraguay.
The man has participated with his country U-17 and U-20 and being a part of the 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and in the 2019 and 2021 Copa America representing Peru.
“We feel Araujo’s experience, coming from a competitive league like the Dutch league, will make that position a very competitive one,” said Timber’s head coach Giovanni Savarese. “Araujo is an international player in the Peruvian National Team, so we’re excited to have a lot of leadership in that position. We’re glad he’ll be joining our club.”
The Lima, Peru native began his professional career in 2011 with Peruvian’s top-tier side Cobresol, making his debut at the age 17 on November 5, 2011, against Universidad Cesar Vallejo.
The defender made 164 appearances over seven seasons (2011-13, 2014-19) in the Peruvian top tier Liga 1 with Cobresol, Sport Huancayo and Club Alianza Lima. During that time, Araujo had a short stint with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia’s first division in the 2013-14 season, logging five appearances and helping the team to a championship season.
In the 2016-17 campaign, Araujo helped Alianza to become the Liga 1 Champions. In the 2018-19 season, Araujo joined Club Atletico Talleres in Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Futbol on loan, logging 12 appearances. Notably, Araujo made nine appearances in Copa Libertadores, logging 805 minutes in the international competition when playing with Talleres (Argentina) and Club Alianza Lima (Peru).
Bienvenido a La Ciudad de las Rosas Miguel!
Source: Portland Timbers Communications
