PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has acquired midfielder Cristhian Paredes from Liga MX side Club América on loan for the 2018 MLS campaign, utilizing Targeted Allocation Money, with a purchase option. Paredes will be added to the Timbers’ roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa.

Paredes, 19, joins the Timbers with over 30 professional appearances in his career as a central midfielder since making his professional debut as an 18-year-old with Club Sol de América in Paraguay, featuring in a 2-1 win over Club Olimpia. A native of Paraguarí, Paraguay, Paredes began his first professional season with América in 2016, recording 30 appearances (30 starts) and one goal in the Paraguayan Primera Divison. Additionally, Paredes made six starts for América in the 2016 Copa Sudamericana before falling 3-1 to eventual runner-up Atlético Nacional in the Round of 16 on Sept. 27, 2016.

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of Cristhian Paredes to our squad for the upcoming MLS season,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers. “Heading into the offseason, our goal was to identify young, talented players that can help the club achieve both its immediate and future aspirations. We believe Cristhian is a player that has the ideal skillset to benefit the organization for many years and we look forward to his contributions.”

In 2017, Parades signed with Club América, recording two appearances (2 starts) for the Liga MX club in the 2017 Copa MX. Making his first-team debut on Feb. 14, 2017, Parades started and played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over Atlético Zacatepec at Estadio Azteca. Additionally, Paredes played 90 minutes and scored a stoppage-time equalizer against Santos Laguna on March 1, 2017.

“We are pleased to welcome another quality young player in Cristhian Paredes to our group,” said Giovanni Savarese, head coach of the Timbers. “At just 19 years of age, Cristhian has already displayed his technical and physical qualities across multiple competitions in South America and Central America and has very good tactical understanding for his age. We look forward to integrating Cristhian with the team during preseason, and continuing his progression and development as a player over the course of the year.”

At the international level, Paredes has earned one cap for the Paraguay Men’s National Team, coming on as a second-half substitute in a friendly against France on June 2, 2017. Paredes has also featured for Paraguay at U-17 and U-20 levels, making two starts at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, while also starting four times in the 2017 South American Youth Football Championship.

Parades will occupy an international spot on the Timbers roster.

Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire midfielder Cristhian Paredes on loan from Club América utilizing Targeted Allocation Money on Feb. 2, 2018.

Cristhian Paredes

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6-0

Weight: 155

Born: May 18, 1998, in Paraguarí, Paraguay

Last Club: Club América (Liga MX)

Citizenship: Paraguay

Acquired: Acquired on Feb. 2, 2018