The Portland Timbers have allowed defender Liam Ridgewell to go on loan to English Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion. Ridgewell will be with Brighton until mid-February, helping the injury-riddled side in their bid to return be promoted to the Premiership before returning to the Timbers in time for the Simple Invitational preseason tournament.

The loan will start when the English transfer window opens on January 2nd.

Rumors of the move have been circulating in the English media for the last week with Brighton struggling to cope with a long term injury to starting left back Gaetan Bong and manager Chris Hughton having previously worked with Ridgewell at Birmingham City.

Brighton were not the only suitors for Ridgewell, however, as mid-table Premier League side West Bromwich Albion and several others were also interested in the defender's services. As with Ridgewell's 2014-15 offseason loan to Wigan Athletic, however, the Timbers sent him to Brighton in order to ensure he will return in time to participate in the preseason with the team.

Of course, Brighton will be hoping that Ridgewell's loan spell with them will be more profitable than his time with West Brom Wigan, which saw the club relegated from the Championship.

The Timbers' press release: