It was three years ago, this corresponding weekend, that Jack Barmby first got his taste of soccer in the United States.

As part of Manchester United's Under-21 squad, alongside the likes of Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson, Barmby took part in the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, a highly-acclaimed international youth team tournament.

Barmby's interest in playing in the States was piqued and when he received a phone call from his agent two weeks ago informing him that the Portland Timbers were interested in signing him, the 21-year-old was thrilled at the prospect.

Barmby - who made a point of watching Major League Soccer matches on Sky Sports in the past year - was at the time considering his next move after he returned to Leicester City following the end of a loan spell at League Two side Notts County.

And the thought of a season-long move to the MLS Cup champions seemed far more appealing to him than another short loan spell in the lower English divisions.

After talking with members of the Timbers staff on the phone, Barmby was soon off to Belfast to get a fast-track visa before flying out to Portland this week to begin his new adventure.

The left-sided player has already begun training with his new team-mates and is hoping to make the bench for this weekend's match against Real Salt Lake.