Portland Timbers Set to Sign Dutch Striker Vincent Janssen
The Portland Timbers are closing in on a smart, low-risk addition to their attack.
According to multiple reports, including The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Dutch outlet Voetbal International, the club has agreed to sign 32-year-old Dutch forward Vincent Janssen as a free agent. The deal will not count as a Designated Player slot.
Janssen arrives after four productive seasons at Royal Antwerp, where he served as captain and contributed 13 goals and 7 assists last season. The former Tottenham and Monterrey striker becomes available after his contract in Belgium expired this summer.
Why This Makes Sense for Portland
At 32, Janssen is no longer the high-upside prospect Tottenham once paid big money for. But he has reinvented himself in Belgium as a reliable, experienced No. 9 who can hold the ball up, finish chances, and provide leadership.
For the Timbers, this is a classic value signing. They get a proven goal scorer without sacrificing a DP spot, adding depth and competition in the forward line. It also gives them a veteran presence who understands the physical demands of MLS after his time in Liga MX with Monterrey.
Janssen has long expressed interest in moving to the United States, partly for family reasons. His wife is Mexican-American, and the couple has previously spoken about eventually settling in North America.
What He Brings
• Strong aerial presence and hold-up play
• Clinical finishing inside the box
• Leadership and experience as a captain
• Recent form that shows he still has plenty left in the tank
He is not expected to be the primary focal point of the attack, but rather a quality option who can rotate and contribute consistently over the second half of the season.
The Bottom Line
This is not a flashy, headline-grabbing move in the mold of Griezmann or Lewandowski. It is, however, a pragmatic and intelligent one.
Portland continue to build a competitive roster with targeted additions rather than pure star power. If Janssen can replicate even a portion of his Antwerp form, the Timbers will have secured one of the better non-DP forwards available this summer.
An official announcement is expected in the coming days.