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Portland Timbers sign Nigerian defender Gbenga Arokoyo

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The Portland Timbers announced Tuesday the club has signed Nigerian defender Gbenga Arokoyo after acquiring his discovery rights from New York City FC in exchange for targeted-allocation money and a third-round 2017 SuperDraft pick, though specific terms of his acquisition were not disclosed.

Arokoyo, 23, last played for Turkish outfit Gaziantepspor, making 40 appearances and scoring one goal. He joins the Timbers to bolster a back line that was reinforced earlier this week with the acquisition of Steven Taylor out of Newcastle.

"Gbenga is a talented young player with an athletic profile and he has a big upside for the future," Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said in a statement.

Arokoyo will occupy an international roster spot for the Timbers, having featured for Nigeria twice since making his debut in May.

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