The Portland Timbers have finalized the signing of former Newcastle United center back Steven Taylor, the club announced today.
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Taylor grew up playing in the Newcastle system, joining the side’s youth teams in 1995 and going on to play more than 200 matches for the side in England’s top three leagues since signing his first professional contract in 2003 at the age of seventeen.
Taylor joins a squad that contains fellow Englishmen Jack Barmby and Liam Ridgewell.
“Gbenga is a young, athletic defender who we believe will be a strong asset to our back line as he continues to develop within our club”, said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers.
Steven Taylor has said that he is excited to experience a new challenge in the United States after completing a move to Portland Timbers. “His experience and leadership will be very important to our team down the stretch”.
The addition of Taylor fills a need for the Timbers following the season-ending injury to Nat Borchers.
Taylor made 268 appearances for Newcastle during his time at St James’ Park.
Taylor will now hope to put his injuries behind him in a new chapter of his career.
“I’ve loved my time at Newcastle”.
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The Timbers, meanwhile, sit one spot outside the Western Conference’s playoff places in seventh following last Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City, having recorded seven wins, eight draws and suffered eight defeats in their 29 games to leave them with 23 points.
