Timbers exercise option on Nathan Fogaça for 2023

The Portland Timbers announced today that they have exercised the 2023 contract option for forward Nathan Fogaça, returning him to the squad for this season. The club also holds an additional option for 2024 as well.

Nathan was originally signed to Portland’s MLS Next Pro affiliate Timbers 2 in April of 2022 and was thrust into service with the first team in May. He tallied a brace in his Timbers debut, contributing to Portland’s 7-2 demolition of Sporting Kansas City last year. He was the first Timbers player to score a brace in his debut. However, he never tallied another first team goal after that, leaving him with two goals in just about 400 minutes played in 2022.

After last season Nathan began discussions with the Timbers over a return to the first team. There wasn’t much chatter around those discussions, but it looks like they went well and the 23-year-old Brazilian striker will be back in the fold for 2023.

Nathan joins a thin Timbers forward position, which features Jaroslaw Niezgoda as the sole returning starter on the roster who is currently healthy. Felipe Mora is still on the mend from knee surgery, and Homegrown forward Tega Ikoba has yet to fully breakthrough with the first team.

Nathan will likely not be the only forward signing the Timbers make this winter, as new General Manager Ned Grabavoy hinted yesterday that the team is still exploring adding another player at the position.

You can read the Timbers full press release on Nathan re-signing here.