PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed midfielder Diego Chara to a multi-year contract extension. Chara’s contract will see the midfielder through 2024.
“We are delighted to extend Diego’s contract and look forward to many more years of his quality performances that we have become so accustomed to,” said general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers, Gavin Wilkinson. “The Timbers are incredibly fortunate to have Diego in this club and appreciate his immense contributions to this organization on and off the field. We also want to thank his incredible wife and their family for the countless sacrifices they have made in supporting Diego and the Portland Timbers through the years.”
Entering his 12th season with Portland, Chara is the club’s all-time leader in games played (310), games started (306) and minutes played (27,203) in MLS regular-season action, while recording 12 goals and 27 assists during his career. Since making his debut with the Timbers on April 23, 2011, Chara ranks first amongst all MLS players in games started, tackles won (780) and fouls conceded (745) in league play.
“The role that Diego Chara has in this team is immeasurable. He is our captain and leader, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him with us for the next three years,” said head coach Giovanni Savarese. “We’re incredibly thankful for his commitment and ongoing hard work to this team.”
Chara has helped guide the Timbers to an MLS Cup title (2015), three Western Conference Championship trophies (2015, 2018, 2021), three appearances in the MLS Cup Final (2015, 2018, 2021) and the 2020 MLS Is Back Tournament championship. In 2020, Chara was named to the MLS Best XI for the first time in his career and was selected to the MLS Is Back Tournament Best XI in the club’s title run.
In 2021, Chara made his 300th regular-season appearance on Sept. 10, 2021, in a 1-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He became the eighth MLS player to hit that mark with one club, the 55th player in league history and the first in Timbers history. During regular-season play, Chara played in 28 matches (27 starts), tallying two goals and two assists. In the posteason, Chara started and played in all four playoff matches in the team’s run to MLS Cup 2021, becoming the only player to start in all three MLS Cup final appearances for the Timbers.
Transaction: Portland Timbers sign midfielder Diego Chara to a multi-year contract extension that will see the midfielder through the 2024 season.
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