The Portland Timbers are finalizing a deal to sign Peru international center back Miguel Araujo from Dutch club FC Emmen, sources involved in the deal tell The Athletic. The sources were granted anonymity as they’re not cleared to discuss the deal publicly.
Araujo, 28, has been with FC Emmen since 2019 and made 76 Eredivisie appearances. The club was relegated from the Dutch top flight after this season. Araujo has 28 caps with Peru and was in their latest squad for friendlies against South Korea and Japan.
The summer transfer window in MLS opens on July 5. He’ll be eligible to be added to the roster then.
The Timbers have been intent to add a center back early this summer after trading Bill Tuiloma to Charlotte FC this spring. The club tried to bring Araujo in at the end of the primary transfer window in April, but Emmen wouldn’t sanction a deal as they battled relegation. They are also likely to bring in a young winger this summer, either with a young designated player slot or via the U-22 initiative.
Portland is 10th in the Western Conference with 21 points after 19 matches.
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