TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Trade
The Portland Timbers have added experienced center back Claude Dielna to their ranks after acquiring his MLS rights from the New England Revolution for $100,000 in General Allocation Money, the clubs announced Wednesday.
Dielna was on a Designated Player deal for a year-and-a-half at New England before the Revolution declined his contract option following the 2018 season.
“Claude is a player we have monitored closely since his arrival in Major League Soccer over a year ago,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers, in a media release. “After many discussions with the player, it is clear that he has a keen interest in this opportunity to join the Timbers and contribute to the club’s success. His familiarity with the league, along with his global playing experience will be beneficial to our group.”
Dielna arrived at the Revolution in July 2017. Two months later, the club had dismissed longtime coach Jay Heaps with a month or so remaining in the regular season, before hiring Brad Friedel as the next full-time manager in the offseason.
Dielna clearly fell out of favor with Friedel during the latter portion of 2018. His last league appearance came back on July 21.
In Portland, Dielna will join a club looking for depth at center back after announcing the departure of Liam Ridgewell last Thursday.
Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese unexpectedly dropped Ridgewell from the starting XI early on in the tenure of the first-year Timbers manager, and the former Premier League regular played only 13 league matches in his fifth MLS campaign. But he started all six playoff games as Portland made their run from the Knockout Round of the playoffs to finalists at the 2018 MLS Cup.
Prior to MLS, Dielna had come through the French professional ranks. He has seen more than 1,000 minutes in just two seasons, once in Ligue 1 during Ajaccio's 2013-14 campaign, and once the following season at Sheffield Wednesday in the English League Championship.
“Our coaching staff has a strong belief that Claude will be a very solid central defender within our group,” Savarese said. “His qualities will pair well with an already strong defensive contingent. He has shown great motivation in coming to Portland, and we anticipate him being a positive addition as he integrates with our club this preseason.”
