Portland Timbers have officially signed Colombian midfielder José Caicedo from Liga MX's Pumas UNAM, as announced by the club today. Caicedo will be with the Timbers through the 2029-30 season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season.

Transaction Details

The Timbers acquired Caicedo's Discovery Priority from D.C. United in exchange for $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM). General Manager Ned Grabavoy expressed enthusiasm about the signing, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome José Caicedo to the Portland Timbers. José is a player we have been monitoring for some time now, and he possesses attributes that will provide further balance to our team. He will be leaned on to play an important role and immediately strengthens our midfield group.”

Player Background

Caicedo, 23, has made 114 appearances for Pumas UNAM, contributing five goals (three goals and two assists) across all competitions from 2020 to 2026. He also played for the club's youth and reserve teams, scoring five goals in 56 matches. Notably, he was part of the Pumas U-20 team that won the Liga MX U-20 title in the Apertura 2022. A native of Palmira, Colombia, Caicedo began his professional career at Independiente Santa Fe at 18 years old before moving to Barranquilla FC and then to Pumas.

Timbers head coach Phil Neville commented on Caicedo's potential impact, saying, “We’re really pleased with Caicedo’s addition and looking forward to integrating him into the group. He is a natural six in the midfield with great quality on both sides of the ball and brings a high level of character. When you look at his profile and age, he fits perfectly with the direction of the team.” Caicedo has also represented Colombia at the youth international level, making three appearances for the U-17 team in 2019 and recently starting for the U-23 side in a friendly against Mexico on September 9, 2023.

With this signing, the Timbers aim to bolster their midfield and enhance their competitive edge in the upcoming seasons.