It's the confirmation we've been waiting for for what seems like months, but it appears that the Portland Timbers have finally, and officially, signed Sebastian Rincon. According to the the Timbers this deal has actually been locked for a while, but was pending the ITC to ensure it was officially official. Something the Timbers have learned all too well about in the case with the Kerrea Gilbert ordeal.
In any case, I'm going to assume most of us have seen Rincon in action based on his performance during the pre-season tournament against the San Jose Earthquakes. He played fairly well then so he's certainly an exciting prospect.
"Sebastián has been training with us since preseason, and is a young player with tremendous potential," said John Spencer, head coach of the Timbers. "He has a good pedigree and possesses good size and athleticism. We are happy to have him and hope to continue his development as a player."
Additionally, at just 18 years old he should be a player that the Timbers can truly develop over time. Those kinds of players are always very exciting 3-4 years down the road.
And just to clarify... this is a LOAN deal. The Timbers will have the option to buy at a fixed price already negotiated after two years. We'll see how that goes.
Full press release after the break.
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired forward Sebastián Rincón on loan for the 2012 season from Uruguayan first-division side Club Atlético Atenas. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.
Rincón will be added to the club’s roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). He has been training with the Timbers since February and played in club’s MLS Reserve League match against the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves on March 27.
Rincón, 18, played in the youth system of Colombian side Deportivo Cali and youth club soccer in the United States before starting his professional career in 2010 at the age of 16 with the reserve team of Colombian club Independiente Santa Fe.
"Sebastián has been training with us since preseason, and is a young player with tremendous potential," said John Spencer, head coach of the Timbers. "He has a good pedigree and possesses good size and athleticism. We are happy to have him and hope to continue his development as a player."
A native of Cali, Colombia, Rincón was a member of Independiente Santa Fe’s reserve side in 2010 and trained with the club’s first team alongside current Timbers teammate Jose Adolfo Valencia. He spent two years in the development system of Deportivo Cali, one of Colombia’s first-division clubs, from 2004-06.
Prior to starting his professional career, Rincón played youth club soccer for the Weston Fury in Southern Florida. His standout play at the club earned him an invitation to the Super Y-League National ODP Camp in November 2007 as one of the top youth players in the United States.
Rincón is the son of recognized, former Colombian Nation Team player Freddy Rincón, who competed in three FIFA World Cups and had an 18-year professional career.
Sebastián Rincón
Full Name: Sebastián Rincón Lucumí
Pronunciation: rin-CONE
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Born: Jan. 14, 1994, in Cali, Colombia
Hometown: Cali, Colombia
Last Club: Club Atlético Atenas (Uruguay)
College: n/a
Citizenship: Colombia