Timbers sign Mamadou Danso; round out 2009 roster

PORTLAND, Ore.
 – The Portland Timbers announced today the club has signed defender
Mamadou Danso
for the 2009 season. The addition of Danso rounds out the Timbers’ roster in advance of the team’s season opener on Saturday.




Additionally, the Timbers have come to a mutual agreement with defender
Dieumerci Vua
to release him from his contract.




The Timbers begin the 2009 USL First Division campaign on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday at 7 p.m. A live broadcast of the match is available at 95.5 The Game or online at
www.portlandtimbers.com
. A live video webcast is also available through USL Live at
www.usllive.com
.




A native of Serrekunda, Gambia, Danso, 25, joins the Timbers after two collegiate seasons at Southern Polytechnic State University. He was a two-time All-Southern States Athletic Conference selection and scored 35 goals during his time with the Hornets. Among his many accolades, Danso became SPSU’s first All-America selection in 2008, after leading the conference in scoring with 19 goals.




Last season, Danso played in eight games for the Cary Clarets of the Premier Development League and scored two goals in 675 minutes.




With the two transactions Tuesday, the Timbers have 23 players on their roster entering the 2009 season.




The Timbers make their PGE Park debut April 30 when they play host to the Carolina RailHawks at 7 p.m. Tickets, starting at $11, are available at the PGE Park box office, area Ticketmaster outlets, online at
www.ticketmaster.com
or by phone at (800) 745-3000.