Timbers loan Dairon Asprilla to Colombian club

The Portland Timbers have loaned winger Dairon Asprilla to Millonarios F.C. of Colombia’s first division.

The move frees up an unknown amount of salary cap space for the Timbers, who likely will look to add a player during the summer international transfer window that begins on Monday.

The Asprilla loan is through June 30 of next year and includes a transfer option.

A starter when this season began, Asprilla’s status with the Timbers has been in question since he suffered a foot injury in April. He started the first four matches this season but then went two months between starts.

“This year-long loan with a transfer option frees up cap space and gives the club flexibility moving forward,” Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson said in a statement about the move.

Asprilla, 24, returns to his native Colombia having scored one of the more memorable goals in recent Timbers history: a rocket in the home leg of the Western Conference finals against Dallas. Asprilla scored two goals and had two assists in 35 MLS regular-season appearances for Portland. His only goal this season was a penalty kick in a May 22 win over Vancouver.