Dairon Asprilla Loaned to Millonarios F.C.

Dairon Asprilla has been rumored to be on his way out of Portland for some time now, but those rumors are now reality as the Portland Timbers have confirmed that the young Colombian has been loaned to Colombian side Millinarios F.C. As always, terms of the deal have not been confirmed, but the loan should at least free up Asprilla’s salary cap hit and could potentially net the Timbers some assets if a loan fee was paid..

Asprilla joined the Timbers at the start of the 2015 season, making 41 appearances for the side, starting 19, before his departure. 32 of those appearances came during the Timbers’ 2015 Championship season, including a torrid run of form through the playoffs to the MLS Cup Final, notching three assists and scoring this back-breaking goal in his seven playoff appearances.

While the Timbers are losing a promising young player in Asprilla, his departure will give the Timbers significant flexibility during the summer transfer window by freeing up a rumored $300,000 under the salary cap. There are a number of factors that could affect that number — Asprilla’s salary is only listed at $76,000 on the Major League Soccer Players’ Union salary list — but even a smaller number could allow the Timbers to go out and address one of the team’s positional needs.

The Timbers’ press release:

TIMBERS LOAN MIDFIELDER DAIRON ASPRILLA TO MILLONARIOS F.C.

Midfielder to join Colombian first-division club on year-long loan

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have loaned midfielder Dairon Asprilla to Colombian side Millonarios F.C. through June 30, 2017, it was announced today.

In two seasons with the Timbers, Asprilla, 24, has made 35 regular-season appearances (16 starts), recording two goals and two assists in 1,496 minutes played. In 2016, Asprilla appeared in nine regular-season games (6 starts), scoring one goal.

"This year-long loan with a transfer option frees up cap space and gives the club flexibility moving forward," said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers.

Prior to joining the Timbers ahead of the 2015 MLS campaign, the Istmina, Colombia, native spent three seasons with Colombian Primera Division side Alianza Petrolera after joining the team on loan from Atlético Nacional in 2012.

In his first season on loan with Alianza Petrolera in 2012, Asprilla tallied 10 goals in 33 regular-season appearances across both the Torneo Apertura and Torneo Finalización seasons as the club gained promotion from the second division.

Transaction: Portland Timbers loan midfielder Dairon Asprilla to Millonarios F.C.