Diego Váleri returns to Lanús - Portland Timbers confirm deal

Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers have confirmed the departure of Designated Player Diego Váleri. The 35-year-old Argentine superstar will rejoin his boyhood club Lanús on a minimal transfer of $175,000 that will cover Váleri's budget charge this season. As part of the agreement, Lanús will also play a friendly match at Providence Park in 2023 in which Valeri will play one half each for both clubs. 

“I do not believe there has been a more impactful Designated Player signing in the history of MLS than Diego Valeri,” said Timbers owner and CEO Merritt Paulson in a club statement. “He changed what clubs looked for in a DP – not a brand to put fans in the seats and sell sponsorships, but a rising European level talent who chose to make America his home and legacy. In Portland, he has meant everything to us on the pitch and in the community. While one chapter ends today, this is not the end of Diego Valeri in Portland, and I cannot wait for fans to have the opportunity to properly honor him in person. Thank you, Diego. For everything.”

Váleri was first loaned and then signed from Lanús in 2013 in what was a club-record $3 million transfer at the time. Since then Váleri has played 309 games for the Timbers scoring 100 goals and 78 assists across all competitions. The attacking midfielder was also part of the side that won the MLS Cup in 2015 and the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. In 2020, Valeri became the third player in MLS history to record 80 goals and 80 assists (note MLS counts assists differently than other competitions) in their regular-season career.