Timbers sign goalkeeper Hunter Sulte to Homegrown Player contract

The Portland Timbers announced on Wednesday that they have signed goalkeeper Hunter Sulte to a Homegrown Player contract. He will officially join the Timbers roster for the 2021 season.

The 18-year-old keeper made eight appearances (eight starts) for Portland Timbers 2 this season, earning 31 saves in those games. He also had spent time with the Timbers at the training camp in Costa Rica. His signing makes him the first player from Alaska to sign an MLS Homegrown contract an MLS team.

Sulte has been a part of the Timbers Academy since 2016 and has made appearances at the U-14, U-16/17, and U-18/19 levels.

Quotes on the signing via press release:

Hunter is a talented player whose commitment and dedication to the sport has been rewarded,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer of the Timbers. “We look forward to working with Hunter to fulfill his potential at the professional level and be a goalkeeper for the Timbers for many years to come.”

We are very excited to sign an academy player who has shown all the signes and promise of a great future with the Timbers,” said Giovanni Savarese, head coach of the Timbers. “We feel that this is the best move for him to continue to develop and are invested in Hunter as a player.”