Portland Timbers 2 Sign Youth Internationals Dylan Damraoui and Alexis Meva

The Portland Timbers' USL side, T2, have announced the signing of a pair of intriguing youth internationals today, bringing in Belgian midfielder Dylan Damraoui and Cameroonian forward Alexis Meva.

Rumors linking Meva, 18, to T2 have been swirling for some time and the Barcelona academy product confirmed that he was signing with the club via Instagram last week. A natural No. 9, Meva is reportedly also comfortable playing out wide on the wing and will be competing with players like 2015 USL Rookie of the Year Kharlton Belmar for minutes on the T2 front line.

Damraoui, meanwhile, remained a secret until last Friday, when word of his signing started to circulate. A central midfielder capable of joining the attack or playing in a deeper lying role, Damraoui, also 18, has been a part of Belgium's strong youth setup. While there are few videos of Damraoui in action, one in particular shows him scoring a volleyed goal and creating an assist through strong dribbling into the box of the England U-17s.

The represent two of the most high profile acquisitions for T2 to date, with Meva having come up with one of the best clubs in world soccer and Damraoui having played for the U21 side of Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge.

The Timbers' press release:

T2 SIGN MIDFIELDER DYLAN DAMRAOUI, FORWARD ALEXIS MEVA

PORTLAND, Ore. – T2 have signed Belgian youth international Dylan Damraoui and FC Barcelona Academy forward Alexis Meva, it was announced today. Damraoui and Meva will be added to the T2 roster pending the receipt of their International Transfer Certificates (ITC). Per league and club policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"As we continue building for the 2016 season, we are pleased to announce the signings of Dylan and Alexis," said Andrew Gregor, T2 head coach. "One of the objectives for this season was to bring in younger players so we can affect their development, and these are two talented players that will have a good opportunity to develop in our system."

Damraoui, 18, has represented Belgium at the U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 levels. At the club level, Damraoui previously played with Club Brugge’s U21 side in Belgium.

Meva, 18, joined FC Barcelona’s youth system at the age of 10 in 2008 and has represented Barcelona at the U-13 through U-19 levels. During the 2014-15 season, Meva played on loan for FC Badalona in Spain.

T2 will open the 2016 USL season on the road against Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m.(Pacific).

Dylan Damraoui
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 140
Born: May 4, 1997
Hometown: Brussels, Belgium 
Last Club: Club Brugge U21
Citizenship: Belgium
Acquired: Signed on Feb. 22, 2016

Alexis Meva
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Weight: 145
Born: Sept. 9, 1997 
Hometown: Douala, Cameroon
Last Club: FC Barcelona Juvenile A
Citizenship: Cameroon
Acquired: Signed on Feb. 22, 2016