PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers have signed veteran defender Ian Joy for the 2010 season, it was announced today pending USSF approval. He joins the Timbers after eight seasons in Europe and two with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.
Joy, 28, participated in the Timbers’ mini-camp this week and played in Wednesday’s charity match. He split the 2009 campaign with Real Salt Lake and German club FC Ingolstadt 04.
“The signing of Ian brings us a wealth of experience and leadership,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers head coach and general manager. “He understands our expectations and believes in the direction of the club.”
At the age of 14, Joy started his career in the youth academy of English Premier League club Manchester United. After making his professional debut with Scottish side Montrose FC during the 2000-01 season, Joy went on to play for England’s Kidderminster Harriers (2001-03) and Germany’s Hamburger SV Reserves (2003-05) before landing with German 2.Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli, where he played for four seasons from 2004-08 and helped the club earn a promotion.
In 2008, Joy moved his career to the United States, signing with Real Salt Lake. He played in 19 games during his first season in Salt Lake and helped the club to its first playoff appearance, reaching the Western Conference final. An injury limited Joy to just one MLS game in 2009, and he returned to Germany in July to play for Ingolstadt 04.
Joy represented the United States at the U-17, U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels. In total, he made 55 appearances with U.S. Youth National Teams and scored four goals.
The Timbers open the 2010 campaign on Saturday, April 17, at PGE Park as they play host to the Rochester Rhinos at 7 p.m. Convenient and affordable season ticket packages start at $96 and are available by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555. Purchasing a 2010 season-ticket package or making a $50 per-seat deposit towards 2011 MLS season tickets guarantees priority status for season tickets for the Timbers inaugural MLS season in 2011.
