Portland acquires Uruguayan star from LIGA MX side Club América

PORTLAND, Ore. –The Portland Timbers have acquired Uruguayan forward Jonathan Rodríguez in a full transfer from LIGA MX side Club América, the club announced today. Under contract through 2026 with a club option in 2027, Rodríguez will occupy a Designated Player spot and an international spot on the roster, pending a physical and a receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa.

Rodríguez will be formally introduced to the media at an in-person and virtual press conference on Thursday, March 21, at 1 p.m. (Pacific) at the Timbers Training Facility.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Jonathan Rodríguez, and we are pleased to welcome him and his family to the Rose City. Adding an established, high-level attacking player to our group was vital in our ambitions to strengthen our position and aim to contend once again,” said Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy. “Jonathan’s accomplishments as a player speak for themselves – he will provide us a constant attacking threat and has consistently scored goals throughout his career. We are eager to integrate him into the team, and we believe he can make an immediate impact.”

Rodríguez joins the Timbers after spending eight seasons in Mexico’s top-tier league LIGA MX (2016-2024) registering a total of 108 goals and 27 assists in 277 appearances across all competitions. Before his arrival to Portland, the forward spent two seasons with Mexico’s reigning champion Club América (2022-2024), where he tallied 21 goals and seven assists in 65 appearances across all competitions. Last season, Rodríguez notched nine goals and three assists in 24 appearances, helping the club earn their 14^th championship during the 2023 LIGA MX Apertura. Rodríguez scored the third goal in América’s championship win against Tigres UANL on Dec. 17 at Estadio Azteca.

Playing for Uruguay’s Men’s National Team, Rodríguez has recorded three goals and four assists in 31 appearances. The forward has featured in eight FIFA World Cup qualifiers (2022) and three Copa América matches (2015, 2019, 2021). Rodríguez madehis debut on Oct. 10 in 2014 against Saudi Arabia and scored his first international goal three days later against Oman on Oct. 13. The last time he played for the senior team, Rodríguez logged 89 minutes in Uruguay’s match against South Korea on March 28, 2023. 

“We’ve been looking for a player with the right profile, personality, and character to fit within our team. Jonathan is a winner that has great experience playing at the highest level and we believe he will come in and give the club a massive lift. I’m excited to welcome him to the team and get to work,” said Timbers Head Coach Phil Neville.

Before Club América, the Uruguayan international had stints with C.D. Cruz Azul (2019-2022) and Santos Laguna (2016-2019). With Cruz Azul, Rodríguez logged 50 goals and 12 assists in 108 appearances across all competitions. Rodríguez helped Cruz Azul win Torneo de Guardianes of LIGA MX (2021), the Mexican Super Cup (2019) and the Leagues Cup (2019) and won the LIGA MX Balón de Oro (2020-21) with golden boot and best forward awards, notching 12 goals and scoring goals in Concacaf Champions League and Leagues Cup play. With Cruz Azul, Rodríguez was also named to the LIGA MX Best XI in 2020 and 2021, and the All-Star roster in 2021. At Santos, Rodrígueztallied 37 goals and eight assists in 104 appearances, winning the LIGA MX Clausura (2017-2018). Notably, the forward scored a career-high 16 goals in the 2017-18 season across all competitions. 

Rodríguez began his professional career in 2012 with Uruguay’s Primera División side C.A. Peñarol, scoring his first professional goal on Dec. 7, 2013, against Liverpool FC. He featured in five Copa Libertadores matches and six Copa Sudamericana matches. In the 2015 season, Rodríguez joined Portuguese side S.L. Benfica and Benfica B, tallying seven goals in seven appearances, and Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña making 16 appearances, both on loans. Additionally, Rodríguez spent one season in Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr FC in 2022, notching one goal in nine appearances.

Transaction: Portland Timbers acquire forward Jonathan Rodríguez through the 2026 season with a club option for 2027. Rodríguez will occupy a Designated Player and an international and spot, pending a physical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa.

MEDIA ASSETS:
Photos of Rodríguez

Jonathan Rodríguez
Full Name: Jonathan Javier Rodríguez Portillo
Position: Forward
Jersey Number: 14
Height: 5-10
Date of Birth: July 6, 1993
Age: 30
Birthplace: Florida, Uruguay
Citizenship: Uruguay
Last Club: Club América
 

— visit www.timbers.com –