The Portland Timbers have signed Congolese center back Larrys Mabiala, a team source confirmed to the Oregonian/OregonLive Monday.

Mabiala is expected to join the Timbers in June, but will not be eligible to play until the secondary transfer window opens on July 10.

The Timbers have been aiming to sign a new starting-caliber center back ever since Gbenga Arokoyo went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in preseason.

Portland had hoped to add a new center back during the primary transfer window and reports started to link the Timbers to the 29-year-old Mabiala back in March. But Mabiala remained under contract with Turkish Super Lig side Kayserispor and the Timbers were unable to acquire him earlier as his club remained in a relegation battle.

Mabiala spent his youth career with Paris Saint-Germain and turned pro with the French side in 2006. He made just three appearances for PSG before joining Nice in 2009. He left France for Turkey in 2012 and went on to make over 100 appearances for Turkish side Karabukspor before joining Kayserispor in 2015. Mabiala has served as captain for Kayserispor and has made more than 50 appearances during his time with the club.

The 6 foot 2 defender also has 11 caps for the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2008.

Mabiala is expected to slot into a starting center back role alongside Liam Ridgewell in Portland. The Timbers have conceded 21 goals in 13 games this season as they've dealt with injuries on the backline and tried to find a stopgap at center back.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg