Chester, Pa. (June 6, 2012) – Philadelphia Union today announced that the club has traded forward Danny Mwanga to the Portland Timbers in exchange for Colombian forward Jorge Perlaza. A native of Colombia, Perlaza holds a U.S. Green Card and will not occupy an international roster spot. Per MLS and club policies, the terms of the trade will not be disclosed.

The Union selected Mwanga as a Generation adidas signee with the first overall selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the first draft pick in club history. In his first two seasons with the Union, Mwanga registered 12 goals and eight assists. Mwanga, who graduated from Generation adidas in 2012 and is a full-salaried rostered player, has tallied one assist in 458 minutes of action.

Perlaza, a veteran of 10 professional seasons, joined the Timbers for their inaugural season in MLS. Starting his professional career at the age of 16 with Atletico Huila in 2001, Perlaza was a proven goal scorer in Colombia’s first division, netting 23 goals in 78 league games from 2009-10 with Deportes Tolima. He has also played for Colombian sides Quindío (2002, 2004-06) and Pasto (2002-03), totaling 39 career goals in 212 league matches.

In his first MLS season, Perlaza scored six goals and added two assists, earning MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week honors in Weeks 5 and 21. He scored the first-ever goal at JELD-WEN Field on April 14 in the 29th minute of the Timbers’ home opener against the Chicago Fire. This season, he has played in 10 games, making six starts for 490 minutes of action.

Name: Jorge Perlaza

Pronunciation: HOR-hay per-LA-za

Number: 16

Position: Forward

Height: 5-10

Weight: 155

Born: October 11, 1984

Birthplace: Guapi, Colombia

Citizenship: Colombia

Last Club: Portland Timbers

WATCH: Perlaza nets first-ever goal at JELD-WEN