Timbers bring back midfielder George Fochive

A key depth piece of the Portland Timbers’ MLS Cup-winning squad in 2015 is back. Defensive midfielder George Fochive has been acquired by the Timbers from Israeli side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC. He will be with the Timbers for the remainder of the 2021 season.

Fochive has spent the past three seasons in the Israeli Premier League, playing with Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC most recently (2021) and also playing with Hapoel Kfar Saba FC (2020-21) and Hapoel Hadera FC (2019-20). He played a total of 64 matches with those three teams, notching four goals over that timeframe. Before that, Fochive played with Danish Superliga club Viborg FF (2016-19) for four seasons, scoring three goals in 64 matches.

The 29-year-old midfielder is a familiar face to Timbers fans. He joined the club originally after being drafted in 2014 with the 39th pick by the club in the MLS SuperDraft. He was a part of the 2015 squad that took won the MLS Cup, making 11 regular-season appearances and eight starts.

For the full press release regarding the addition of Fochive, click here. For Sam Svilar’s initial Stumptown Footy story on Fochive’s reported signing, click here.