Vancouver Whitecaps sign former Portland Timbers center back Pa Modou Kah

Pa Modou Kah, Portland Timbers

Pa Modou Kah isn't leaving the Pacific Northwest just yet.


The 34-year-old former Portland Timbers defender was announced on Wednesday as the latest signing by the Timbers' Cascadia Cup rivals Vancouver Whitecaps, joining a center back corps that features Uruguayan Diego Rodriguez and Costa Rican Kendall Waston.


"Kah is an athletic center back with a wealth of experience, both in MLS and abroad," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said in a club statement. "Not only does he bring experience, but also great character, and that will be equally important to our team."


The Gambia native and former Norwegian international joined the Timbers in May 2013 after playing for clubs in Norway (Vålerenga), Sweden (AIK), the Netherlands (Roda JC), Qatar (Al Khor, Qatar SC) and Saudi Arabia (Al-Wehda).


In December the Timbers declined Kah's contract option and he went unclaimed in the ensuing Waiver Draft, making him available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-serve basis.


"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Kah said in a club statement. "I'm looking forward to meeting the team and playing in front of the fantastic fans at BC Place. Vancouver has a great team that is heading in the right direction and I will do everything I can to help. I'd like to thank the coaching staff for this opportunity - I can't wait to get started."