Charles Renken

ACQUIRED

Portland Timbers acquired midfielder Charles Renken off MLS waivers on January 31, 2012

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Renken, 18, has been a member of U.S. youth national teams since 2005 and most recently participated in a camp with the U.S. U-20 National Team in Germany last fall. At the club level, he played for the U-19 team of German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim during the 2010-11 season.

A native of Edwardsville, Ill., Renken was called up for a 10-day camp in November with the U.S. U-20 and U-23 National Teams in Duisburg, Germany. His youth international career began with the U.S. U-14 and U-15 Boy’s National Team before joining the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in 2007. Renken made 11 appearances and scored two goals during his time with the U.S. U-17 National Team from 2007-09.

Renken played in 10 games with Hoffenheim’s U-19 team last season, his first as a professional. He also made an appearance in a first-team friendly against German club VfR Aalen. Before joining Hoffenheim, Renken was enrolled in the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency for the 2009-10 season and also trained with English clubs Arsenal and Reading, as well as German side 1860 Munich.