The Portland Timbers have added attacking depth to their roster by acquiring wing player Ishmael Yartey of Ghana.
The 25-year-old comes to Portland on loan from Swiss Super League club FC Sion. He made 27 appearances for FC Sion since the 2013-14 season.
Primarily a left wing player, Yartey figures to provide depth at the position played by Rodney Wallace.
Timbers coach Caleb Porter has said since preseason that the club was looking to add another attacking player. Major League Soccer veteran Omar Cummings was with Portland during its Tucson training camp, but was not signed by the club.
As a professional, Yartey has spent time with clubs in Portugal, France and Switzerland. As a youth player, he participated in the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, scoring one goal. He is a member of the Ghana national team pool and was on the roster — but did not play — for two qualification matches prior to the 2014 World Cup.
Yartey will occupy an international spot on the Timbers roster.
Timbers 2 adds players — Portland’s United Soccer League team on Thursday announced the addition of eight players in advance of Sunday’s season opener. T2 added forwards Fatawu Safiu and Rundell Winchester, midfielders Seth Casiple, Blair Gavin and Tim Payne, defender Matt Rose and goalkeepers Justin Luthy and Daniel Withrow.
The team now has 14 players under contract, which is the number coach Jay Vidovich said the club will carry. Players from the Timbers MLS roster who need playing time will also be loaned to T2 for USL matches.
