SANDY, Utah (Monday, December 8, 2014) – Real Salt Lake has traded veteran defender Nat Borchers to the Portland Timbers in exchange for allocation money. Per league and club policy, the amount of allocation money exchanged will not be disclosed.

Borchers played seven seasons with the Claret-and-Cobalt, logging 205 appearances, all starts. He scored 10 goals and added four assists, tallying at least one goal in every season since 2009, and ranks tied for second in appearances in club history with Kyle Beckerman and behind only Nick Rimando.

“I want to thank Nat for his seven years of service to the club. There has been no more loyal or consistent soldier,” Real Salt Lake General Manager Garth Lagerwey said. “I know Nat didn’t want to leave, but we simply couldn’t work out a way to protect him as part of the expansion process. Understanding that staying was Nat’s first choice, we were able to at least give Nat the choice as to where to go.”

He was among the top two RSL field players in minutes played in six of his seven seasons with the club, missing a total of just 21 matches since signing with RSL through an MLS Player Allocation Lottery on February 14, 2008 after two years with Odd Grenland in Norway’s First Division. Previously, he played three seasons with the Colorado Rapids from 2003-2005. The 33-year-old center back also played in 19 of the club’s 21 all-time playoff matches. He was named the club’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, 2010 and 2011, the Most Valuable Player in 2009 and the Humanitarian of the Year in 2008.

“We expect him to thrive in Portland just as Will Johnson has. We believe it’s a testament to the culture and the consistent success that we’ve had here at RSL when our players go to other teams and continue to play at a high level,” Lagerwey said. “Best of luck to Nat and thanks for all of his hard work and all of his contributions.”

Borchers was a part of RSL squads that won MLS Cup 2009, advanced to the 2010/11 CONCACAF Champions League Final, 2013 U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup Finals and qualified for an active league-high seven-consecutive MLS Cup Playoff appearances from 2008-14.

Player: Nat Borchers

Position: Defender

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 175 lbs.

Date of Birth: April 13, 1981

Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona

Citizenship: USA

How acquired: Signed with MLS on February 14, 2008; Acquired by Real Salt Lake through an Allocation Lottery

How departed: Traded to Portland Timbers FC in exchange for allocation money on Dec. 8, 2014.