Portland Timbers Acquire Charles Renken, U-23 USMNT Youth
by Geoff Gibson on Jan 31, 2012 3:52 PM PST
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PrintThe Portland Timbers are certainly not resting on their laurels heading into February as they just announced a new player acquisition in Charles Renken, a midfielder, via the MLS waiver. According to assistant coach Amos Magee:
"While only 18, Charles is a talented player who is already accustomed to the professional environment," said Amos Magee, Timbers assistant coach. "We believe he will further flourish with the Timbers."
The 18 year old most recently spent his time with U-23 US Men's National Team in Germany and with 1899 Hoffenheim's (of the German Bundesliga) U-19 squad. Prior to joining Hoffenheim, Renken played under the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program from 2009-2010.
We don't have much on Renken right now, but we'll be sure to update with a new post as soon as we do. Until then the press release is posted after the jump.
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired midfielder and U.S. youth international standout Charles Renken off MLS waivers. Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.
Renken, 18, has been a member of U.S. youth national teams since 2005 and most recently participated in a camp with the U.S. U-23 National Team in Germany last fall. At the club level, he played for the U-19 team of German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim during the 2010-11 season.
"While only 18, Charles is a talented player who is already accustomed to the professional environment," said Amos Magee, Timbers assistant coach. "We believe he will further flourish with the Timbers."
A native of Edwardsville, Ill., Renken was called up for a 10-day camp in November with the U.S. U-20 and U-23 National Teams in Duisburg, Germany. His youth international career began with the U.S. U-14 and U-15 Boy’s National Team before joining the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in 2007. Renken made 11 appearances and scored two goals during his time with the U.S. U-17 National Team from 2007-09.
Renken played in 10 games with Hoffenheim’s U-19 team last season, his first as a professional. He also made an appearance in a first-team friendly against German club VfR Aalen. Before joining Hoffenheim, Renken was enrolled in the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency for the 2009-10 season and also trained with English clubs Arsenal and Reading, as well as German side 1860 Munich.
Charles Renken
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Born: Dec. 19, 1993, in Kalingalinga, Zambia
Hometown: Edwardsville, Ill.
Last Club: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (U-19)
College: n/a
Citizenship: United States
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If you all don’t do anything else today, read this article from a couple years ago. It’s excellent. I’m instantly a huge fan of this young guy.
ESPN: Renken the Next Big Thing for U.S. Soccer
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=571292&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901
by oddcontemplation on Jan 31, 2012 4:09 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
Thanks!
That really is a great article. I’m even more excited about this signing now.
"I'm not blind, I'm deaf, I'm halfway to a ref!" (Well technically I'm 1/3rd of the way since I can properly call offsides, but that doesn't sound as catchy..)
Wow, that's an interesting signing
A few years ago many pundits considered Renken the most promising American player in his age group. However, he had serious injuries to both legs kept him of the pitch for long periods of time. Not that many people (or at least not that many Americans) have seen him play post injuries, so it’s hard to really say how good he is now.
Yea, very interesting
this could be the chance he needs to continue his career, hoffenheim losing interest isn’t a good sign thought as they’re turning into quite the develop for profit operation. hopefully he can be a nice addition to our west african contingent
by #1 Leverage Fan on Jan 31, 2012 4:19 PM PST up reply actions
His contract was up in the Summer
Always another new kid to bring in, especially with the money they throw around. I could see them doing something to help him and releasing him so he could come back to the states now (there was NO chatter that he was leaving, so I assume he had an MLS contract offer in hand prior to the release by Hoffenheim)
What's off waiver?
As for how Portland was able to acquire Renken, all other MLS teams passed on the chance to sign him, thus negating the need for the allocation or lottery process, sources told SBI. The past precedent for U.S. youth internationals coming to MLS from clubs abroad has been to put them through the allocation order.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/01/timbers-acquire-renken-1.html
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Portland hasn't lost their allocation order spot because they passed on him too.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Ives also sends his love
Off-season of the year in MLS goes to Timbers. Flipped Cooper into Boyd, signed Valencia and Mosquera and got Renken for free. #NotBadAtAll
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
great story
Looking forward to cheering for the kid, seems like a winner in life already.
And take plenty of tissue paper so they can dry their eyes after the game.
by ledjom on Jan 31, 2012 4:44 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Can't wait to see where we are playing him
At Hoffenheim he literally played all the midfield positions as well as the fullback positions. I think he’ll slot in as depth in the wide midfield, perhaps fighting for a starting spot if healthy, but I really really like this signing. Have a suspicion his salary was big enough some people passed on that.
why would his salary be set before we signed him?
by botanyjames on Jan 31, 2012 10:03 PM PST up reply actions
We didn't sign him.
The league did. We just decided to take him.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Jan 31, 2012 10:30 PM PST up reply actions
Cool.
However, if Songo’o continues to turn heads I hope that this won’t interfere with bringing him on board.
Kelly and Mao said Songo’o would be a starter if the season started today (obviously some caveats there, but still). Everyone seems to love the guy.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Jan 31, 2012 10:25 PM PST reply actions
I think Renken could well be a starter too
Kid was a wonderkid, and has just gotten back to health after a year off (very similar to Zizzo last year, was just finally rounding the health curve from a knee injury). He could play across the midfield, but I think in our roster it makes sense that he’s out wide. Basically, he’s like an WAY more technically skilled Alexander, and he’s just 18.
If the Duque signing is right, and we are indeed looking at Rincon, then I gotta think Songo’o wanted too much money/wasn’t really in the plans. I would like to sign him though. Guess we’ll see about those international spots, because just in new signings, we’ve got 4/9 taken.
I played with Charles in high school,
and the kid’s a grade-A champ. His on the field talents are incredible, but he’s also a truly humble guy with a great head on his shoulders.
Looks like I’m a Timbers fan now.
"It was one of those good, deep sleeps; you know, the ones where you wake up and a stream of drool is steadily racing down your shirt? Yes, that kind of sleep." -Landry Fields
Welcome! We cheer come hell or championships.
There aint no better place than the Timbers who profess “To spread the love.” (Timber Jim).
From the video posted he’s got a lot of maturity in that teenage frame.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
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