Portland Timbers, midfielder Eryk Williamson agree to contract extension

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension

The Portland Timbers and midfielder Eryk Williamson have agreed to a contract extension, the club announced Thursday. 

Williamson, 23, was among the league's breakout stars in 2020. He previously played just 234 minutes over two seasons in Portland before becoming a constant starter in the midfield, with three goals and five assists in 21 appearances. 

“Signing Eryk has been a key objective of the club’s for the past 12 months and we are delighted that Eryk’s belief in the club mirrors our belief in him,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager and president of soccer, in a tram release. “Eryk is a unique talent and we are looking forward to seeing his continued growth and performance as a Timbers player.”

Williamson, who spent time in the D.C. United academy before being acquired by the Timbers in 2018, excelled in a box-to-box role next to defensive-minded Diego Chara at the base of Portland's midfield last season. The US youth international is age-eligible for the Olympics, should the United States qualify and the games go on despite the global pandemic. 

“Eryk is an extremely talented and creative player with many great attributes on and off the field,” said Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese. “I very much believe in the development of American players and am incredibly excited to see him continue his career in Portland.”

The midfielder was linked with a move abroad this winter, as clubs took notice of his breakout campaign.