The mystery winger set to replace Rodney Wallace for the Portland Timbers may finally be revealed.
The Timbers have acquired English Premier League winger Jack Barmby on a season-long loan, according to a report from The Oregonian on Friday. There has been no official announcement from the Timbers.
Barmby, 21, is currently on the books at Leicester City, though he has only featured for their Under-21 side. Last year, he went on short-term loans to Rotherham United in the Football League Championship and Notts County in League Two.
He has also featured for England’s youth national team, last year playing with the U-20s.
Barmby is expected to replace Wallace, the versatile midfielder/forward who played a pivotal role for the Timbers since joining them in 2011 and scored the game winner in last year’s MLS Cup.
Wallace signed with Portuguese club FC Aroca in January and Timbers head coach Caleb Porter has been on the hunt for replacements since then. The Timbers were reportedly pursuing a winger from Liga MX, but the deal fell through.
The Timbers season opens Sunday against Columbus Crew SC in a rematch of last year's MLS Cup (4:30 PM ET; ESPN).
