PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have signed Brazilian defender Jeanderson Salvador Pereira, it was announced today. He will be added to the Timbers’ roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa. Per league and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.



Jeanderson, 23, appeared in 15 matches for Cruzeiro de Porto Alegre in the 2014 Campeonato Gaúcho from January to March 2014, helping the club reach the competition’s quarterfinals. The Serra, Brazil native then made four appearances for Brazilian side Santa Rita in the 2014 Copa do Brasil, as the team reached the tournament’s Round of 16. Signing with Santa Rita in July 2014, Jeanderson started both legs of the third round as Santa Rita earned a 4-3 aggregate win over Santa Cruz to reach the Round of 16. Squaring off against eventual runners-up Cruzeiro (Minas Gerais) in the Round of 16, Jeanderson earned two more starting nods, but Santa Rita was eliminated 7-1 on aggregate.



During his career, Jeanderson also has logged time with São José de Porto Alegre in 2013 and Rio Branco during the 2011 Copa do Brasil.



Jeanderson will occupy an international slot on the Timbers roster.



Jeanderson Salvador Pereira

Pronunciation: zhahnderson

Position: Defender

Height: 5-11

Weight: 160

Born: Aug. 13, 1991, in Serra, Brazil

Last Club: Santa Rita (Brazil)

College: n/a

Citizenship: Brazil

Acquired: Signed on Dec. 8, 2014