Portland favorite Kwarasey leaves for Rosenborg

Adam Kwarasey has left the Portland Timbers to return to his homeland with Norwegian Tippeligaen side Rosenborg BK, the MLS side announced Monday.

The emergence of fellow goalkeeper Jake Gleeson made Kwarasey expendable between the sticks this season, but the Oslo-born 22-time Ghana international will be fondly remembered for his MLS Cup exploits in 2015.

In an incredible penalty shootout between the Timbers and Sporting Kansas City last October, the former triumphed after Kwarasey scored a penalty and then saved opposing shot-stopper Jon Kempin's effort during the 21st and 22nd spot kicks. It sent the Oregon franchise into the Western Conference semifinals, and it eventually triumphed in the final against the Columbus Crew.

Related: Portland through, Sporting KC out after outrageous penalty shootout

"On behalf of the Timbers, I would like to sincerely thank Adam for his major contributions to the club, both on and off the field, and for his instrumental role in helping the Timbers win their first MLS Cup," said the club's general manager and president of soccer Gavin Wilkinson. "This transfer gives the Timbers flexibility to strengthen the team and is a move that makes sense for Adam, his family, and the Timbers. We wish him all the best in his career."

Kwarasey, 28, made 40 regular Major League Soccer appearances since joining Portland from Stromsgodset in December 2014. He managed seven starts this season until he sustained an injury.

The sale frees up space on the roster so the Timbers can try to vault up from sixth in the Western Conference standings. The Oregonian's Jamie Goldberg reports that an experienced goalkeeper could be brought in to offer backup to Gleeson, but that might not be the end of the summer business, as owner Merritt Paulson hinted on Twitter:

The Timbers welcome LA Galaxy to Providence Park next Saturday, no doubt reinvigorated by a Diego Valeri-inspired 3-1 Cascadia Cup victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.