PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed defender and team captain Liam Ridgewell to a contract extension, utilizing Targeted Allocation Money at the start of the 2017 MLS season.
Currently in his third season with Portland, Ridgewell, 31, has made 63 starts in 63 appearances for the Timbers since joining the club midway through the 2014 MLS campaign, logging 5,658 minutes, three goals and two assists. During that 63-game stretch, the Timbers have recorded 20 shutouts, producing a 1.30 goals-against average.
Ridgewell, who captained the Timbers during their 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC in the 2015 MLS Cup, is a two-time MLS All-Star (2014, 2016), with the defender featuring in a 2-1 victory against FC Bayern Munich at Providence Park in 2014 before being selected to this year’s AT&T MLS All-Star game.
In 2016, Ridgewell, a two-time recipient of Timbers Defender of the Year honors (2014, 2015), has appeared in 16 games (16 starts) for the Timbers, while also recording the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes on June 1.
Last season, Ridgewell recorded 32 starts in 32 appearances for the Timbers, anchoring the backline as Portland recorded 13 shutouts, which ranked tied for first in the league. Starting and playing in five matches of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs – including 90 minutes in the Timbers win over Columbus on Dec. 6 – Ridgewell registered the opening goal in a 3-1 win against FC Dallas in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship on Nov. 22, 2015.
Prior to joining the Timbers in 2014, Ridgewell spent 12 seasons in the English Premier League and the English Football League Championship, recording over 200 appearances for Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. In 2011, Ridgewell won the Football League Cup Final with Birmingham City, helping the team secure a 2-1 victory over English Premier League side Arsenal F.C.
Transaction: Portland Timbers sign defender Liam Ridgewell to a contract extension, utilizing Targeted Allocation Money at the start of the 2017 MLS season.
