The Portland Timbers have announced the signing of former Newcastle United defender, Steven Taylor. The 30-year-old center back has been with the Magpies for approximately 21 years, counting his youth career, until his contract had expired this summer. Taylor made 268 appearances for the newly minted Championship club, who was relegated at the end of the Premier League season.
Head coach Caleb Porter said in a statement, “Steven Taylor gives us a proven piece that can step into our backline and perform immediately. His experience and leadership will be very to our team.”
Taylor will join the Timbers -- who currently sit seventh in the Western Conference -- once his international clearance is granted (International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa).
The signing comes just a little over a week after center back Nat Borchers ruptured his left achilles, ending his 2016 campaign. Portland's other center back Liam Ridgewell was sidelined with a calf strain, making him miss the 2016 All-Star Star game. The injury and absence of the All-Star game caused Ridgewell to be suspended for their match at Sporting Kansas City. The Timbers would lose 1-0 to Sporting Kansas City.
Taylor's career with the Magpies
Over his time with Newcastle, he helped the club win the 2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup, and the 2009-10 Football League Championship, which helped the Magpies gain promotion to the top flight English Premier League, after a one year absence. Taylor also made eight appearances (six starts) during Newcastle’s 2012-13 UEFA Europa League run.
Steven will occupy an international roster spot on the Timbers roster.
The 30-year-old is signed to a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Timbers, after failing to comply and sign an extension for Magpie manager, Rafael Benitez towards the end of last season, and opted to play in MLS. Alongside him, are fellow Englishmen Frank Lampard of New York City FC, and Steven Gerrard of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Taylor could make his debut with his new club Sunday when the Timbers play the conclusion of the home-and-home series with Sporting Kansas City at Providence Park. You can catch the match on ESPN in North America, or Sky Sports 1 in England.