Confirmed: Michael Nanchoff to Join Sweden's Jonkopings Sodra IF on Loan

The Portland Timbers have yet to confirm the report, but MLSSoccer.com's report leaves little room for doubt as to its validity. Still, we'll wait until we have official confirmation before calling it definite, truthy news.

UPDATE: The Portland Timbers have made an official announcement confirming the loan deal.

A 2011 first round pick from the University of Akron, Michael Nanchoff made 14 appearances during his two year stint with the Vancouver Whitecaps, playing four matches on loan with the Whitecaps' U23 club. He joined the Timbers during the offseason, one of the former Akron players to join his former college coach.

He has played just eight minutes of league action, all coming this past Sunday against the Columbus Crew. He also contributed to the Timbers' US Open Cup run in June, with a goal and an assist against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Caleb Porter has in recent weeks openly lamented the lack of opportunities Nanchoff has been getting this year, remarking on the quality of the players ahead of him on the depth chart -- namely, Diego Chara, Will Johnson, Diego Valeri, and Ben Zemanski.

In spite of the significant improvements that have been made to the MLS Reserve League this year, the Timbers Reserves have not played a match in the reserve league since June 1 and won't play again until this Sunday. Although Nanchoff has had a couple of opportunities to play with the first team against non-MLS opponents in recent weeks, including the aforementioned USOC match, it's certainly not the full load of competitive games that Porter and Nanchoff would likely prefer.

Jönköping Södra is a Swedish side currently playing in the Superettan, Sweden's second division. The team is reportedly looking at several players, including Nanchoff, to provide a boost as they struggle to avoid relegation.

Of course, this move would open up a roster spot for the Timbers, allowing them to add temporary depth to certain injury-plagued positions, or give them a chance to look at other prospects while not permanently losing Nanchoff.

We'll have to wait and see what the international transfer window fairy brings us.

Much credit goes to Stumptown Footy user URK for reporting this yesterday.

What do you think of the possibility of Nanchoff's loan to Jönköping Södra?