The Portland Timbers kicked off what could be a flurry of personnel moves this offseason, announcing the signings of Ghanaian international goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey, Colombian winger Dairon Asprilla, Brazilian left back Jeanderson Salvador Pereira and the exercising of their purchase option on Jamaican fullback Alvas Powell on Monday.
Powell, 20, spent the past year and a half with the Timbers on loan from Jamaican side Portmore United, making 20 MLS appearances (15 starts) and notching two goals and two assists. He has now been signed to what was described by the club as a "new, long-term contract."
A native of Oslo, Norway, Kwarasey, began his international career with the Norway U-23 national team in 2008, but switched allegiances to the Black Stars and has made 23 appearances for Ghana since 2011. The 26-year-old contributed to their successful qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and minded the nets in their 2-1 loss to the United States in the opening match of Group D play on June 16 in Natal, Brazil.
Kwarasey joins Portland from Norwegian Tippeligaen side Strømsgodset, where he led a run to the league championship in 2013, captaining the squad and earning Tippeligaen Goalkeeper of the Year honors along the way. He also boasts UEFA Champions League and Europa League experience.
Asprilla, 22, joins the Timbers from Colombian Primera División side Alianza Petrolera. A native of Istmina, Colombia, he registered five goals in 17 matches, logging 1,431 minutes of action during the 2014 Torneo Finalización.
Asprilla, who can play up top as well as along the flanks, helped the club gain promotion to the Primera División in 2012, scoring 10 goals in 33 regular-season appearances across both Apertura and Finalización seasons in the second division.
The 23-year-old Pereira joins the Timbers from Brazilian side Santa Rita, which plays in the state-based Campeonato Alagoano de Futebol and made a Round of 16 run in this year's Copa do Brasil.
