PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has acquired midfielder and U.S. youth international standout Charles Renken off MLS waivers. Timbers general manager GavinWilkinson made the announcement.
Renken, 18, has been a member of U.S. youth national teams since 2005 and most recently participated in a camp with the U.S. U-20 National Team in Germany last fall. At the club level, he played for the U-19 team of German Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim during the 2010-11 season.
“While only 18, Charles is a talented player who is already accustomed to the professional environment,” said Amos Magee, Timbers assistant coach. “We believe he will further flourish with the Timbers.”
A native of Edwardsville, Ill., Renken was called up for a 10-day camp in November with the U.S. U-20 and U-23 National Teams in Duisburg, Germany. His youth international career began with the U.S. U-14 and U-15 Boy’s National Team before joining the U.S. U-17 Residency Program in 2007. Renken made 11 appearances and scored two goals during his time with the U.S. U-17 National Team from 2007-09.
Renken played in 10 games with Hoffenheim’s U-19 team last season, his first as a professional. He also made an appearance in a first-team friendly against German club VfR Aalen. Before joining Hoffenheim, Renken was enrolled in the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency for the 2009-10 season and also trained with English clubs Arsenal and Reading, as well as German side 1860 Munich.
Charles Renken
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 140
Born: Dec. 19, 1993, in Kalingalinga, Zambia
Hometown: Edwardsville, Ill.
Last Club: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (U-19)
College: n/a
Citizenship: United States
