The Portland Timbers are looking to send winger Victor Arboleda on loan to a club in Colombia for the remainder of 2018.

The Timbers hope to have the loan deal finalized in the next 7-10 days.

The club and Arboleda both believe that sending him on loan to the top division in Colombia where he could see playing time at a high level is the best move for his development at this time.

Arboleda has excelled in Portland while on loan with T2 this season, scoring four goals in 10 appearances, but has been unable to break in with the first team. The 21-year-old, who is in his second season with the Timbers, has made just one appearance with the first team this year, coming off the bench in Portland's 4-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls on March 10.

"We're hoping that he seizes this opportunity and he furthers his development," Timbers General Manager and President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson said. "As a player, the reason he expressed a level of interest in going back to Colombia is to get first team minutes and we didn't see him getting regular first team minutes here from now to the end of the year."

The Timbers have Arboleda under contract with an option for next season and could bring the 21-year-old back after his loan spell in Colombia ends in December. The club previously sent winger Dairon Asprilla on loan to a club in Colombia in 2016 before bringing him back the next season.

By sending Arboleda on loan, the Timbers would free up a second international spot and some much needed cap space. Portland currently has only one free international spot.

The added cap space and extra international slot could be critical for the Timbers, who are planning to be active during the upcoming summer transfer window.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg