The

have loaned forward

to the Los Angeles Blues. The Timbers are expected to announce the deal Tuesday morning.

Dike trained with the team Monday, but he departed Portland for Los Angeles Monday night for what will be a season-long loan to the Blues. Dike will remain on the Timbers' roster and the team will retain the right to recall Dike at any time.

The move doesn't come as much of a surprise. Dike, 25, had not played in a MLS regular season game in 2012 and was not on the 18-man roster in the past two games. In addition, the acquisition of Mike Fucito added to the Timbers numbers at the position.

Dike, who had started in three reserve league games and scored two goals, was the last remaining player of the first four players (Steve Cronin, Ryan Pore, Eddie Johnson) the Timbers signed to MLS contracts in October 2010.

Dike was a first-round pick by Columbus out of Notre Dame in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, but was cut by the Crew two months later. Dike signed with the Timbers Division 2 team and scored 10 goals in 23 games during the 2010 season.

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