Center back Norberto Paparatto will not be returning to the Portland Timbers in 2016.

Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson told the media in a conference call Wednesday that the club presented Paparatto an offer, but ultimately the center back declined the deal.

"We presented a fair offer to Papa," Wilkinson said. "We believe he's making a decision to stay in Argentina and we wish him nothing but the best."

Portland plans to replace Paparatto with center back Jermaine Taylor, who the Timbers took in stage two of the Re-Entry Draft in December. Wilkinson said that the club expects to finalize their deal with Taylor soon.

The Timbers declined the option on Paparatto's contract at the end of the 2015 season due to salary cap restraints. Still, the club wanted to re-sign Paparatto and made an effort to bring him back.

Paparatto served mainly as a backup center back during his two seasons in Portland, making 17 starts (19 appearances) during that time.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg