The Portland Timbers have completed the signing of attacker Brian Fernandez from Liga MX club Necaxa, league sources told The Athletic on Sunday. The sources said that Fernandez recently had his U.S. visa approved, clearing the way for the club to finalize their deal for the 24-year-old Argentine. The second leading scorer in Liga MX this season, Fernandez will join the Timbers as a designated player. The sources said he’ll arrive in Portland early this week and will be eligible to play in the club’s match at Vancouver on Friday night.



Multiple outlets reported in recent weeks that Portland had reached a deal to sign Fernandez, and several Mexican publications pegged the transfer fee in the $10 to $12-million range. The sources couldn’t confirm the specific final fee, but they did note that it eclipses the previous Timbers record of $5 million, paid for Lucas Melano in 2015.



Reports of the signing have circulated over the last few weeks, but it was...