Timbers Acquire Ugandan Forward Brian Umony On Loan

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has acquired Ugandan forward Brian Umony (oo-MO-nee) on loan from South African club University of Pretoria FC for the 2011 season. Timbers general manager/technical director Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement.

As part of the loan agreement, the Timbers will have the option of purchasing the rights to Umony upon the conclusion of the loan term.

While on trial with the Timbers in preseason, Umony scored a goal in the team’s 1-1 preseason draw with the LA Galaxy.

Umony, 22, joins the Timbers after playing parts of the last two seasons in South Africa. He was awarded Uganda’s 2007-08 FUFA Footballer of the Year award, scoring 15 goals in standout season with Kampala City Council FC that season. Umony has also been a notable scorer for the Uganda National Team, amassing eight goals in 11 international appearances.

Born in Kampala, Uganda, Umony burst on to the international scene for Uganda, making his national team debut during the 2008 Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Cup. He scored five goals in the tournament, including the game-winning goal in the final, to lead Uganda to the tournament championship and capture the golden boot award. Umony recently represented his country in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sept. 4, 2010, against Angola.

Umony’s started his club career with Ugandan lower-division sides Nakawa United and Naguru Avis before playing two seasons with top-flight club Kampala City Council FC (KCC) from 2007-09. He led KCC to the 2007-08 Uganda Super League title, scoring 15 goals, which shared the league’s lead in goals scored. For his efforts that season, he was honored with the county’s top honor in the FUFA Footballer of the Year award. Umony tallied 19 goals the following season, including four goals in the 2009 Confederation of African Football Champions League, and guided KCC in a return trip to the league final.

Umony was signed by South African Premier League club SuperSport United in 2009. He scored twice in 12 appearances with the club, aiding in its run to the 2009-10 league championship. Umony began the 2010-11 season with University of Pretoria FC of the National First Division (second division) before being loaned to the Timbers.

Brian Umony
Pronunciation: oo-MO-nee
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Born: Dec. 12, 1988, in Kampala, Uganda
Hometown: Kampala, Uganda
Last Club: University of Pretoria FC (South Africa)
College: n/a
Citizenship: Uganda