TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Portland Timbers added another fearsome component to their high-octane attack on Monday, announcing the signing of Peruvian international Andy Polo from Mexico's CA Monarcas Morelia.
Portland utilized Targeted Allocation Money in the deal, which will see Polo loaned to the Timbers for the 2018 MLS campaign with an option for the club to purchase him outright.
“We are excited to add a young and talented attacking player in Andy Polo,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers in a statement provided by the team. “He has already proved himself at a young age in various leagues and at the international level, and we look forward to welcoming Andy and his family to Portland and MLS.”
The fleet-footed Polo reportedly arrives on a three-year deal, which was rumored for weeks and reported as done by ESPNFC on Saturday, after Monarcas manager Roberto Hernandez acknowledged as much following his team’s 1-0 Liga MX win over Puebla on Friday night.
Polo, 23, joined Morelia from Colombian club Millonarios in January. He scored two goals in 24 Liga MX appearances for the club, but only made nine appearances in last fall's Apertura campaign. A product of the youth system at Peru’s Universitario, he has also logged time with Universidad de San Martin and Serie A giants Inter Milan.
“Andy is a versatile, young player who will add another element to our attack, and we believe that he has further upside to his development,” said Giovanni Savarese, head coach of the Timbers. “Andy has strong technical ability and is able to stretch opponents and run in behind defenses. He will provide us with another quality option as a winger, and we are very pleased to add him to the team this season.”
He has one goal in 15 appearances for Peru since he debuted for the full national team in 2016. Nine of those appearances came in Peru’s successful 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Typically an out-and-out right winger, Polo joins a menacing Timbers attack led by Fanendo Adi, Sebastian Blanco and reigning MLS MVP Diego Valeri.
