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Portland Timbers captain Liam Ridgewell heads to Brighton on loan

Reuters

The Portland Timbers have sent their captain on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

The club announced Wednesday that central defender Liam Ridgewell is heading back to England on a short-term loan with Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion for the MLS offseason.

"I know Liam very well from my time as manager at Birmingham City, and he is an excellent and important addition for us," Brighton manager Chris Houghton said. "He will bring extra experience to our defence at a crucial time, and will give me an option both in the centre of defence and at left-back."

The move will be officially completed on Jan. 2 when the winter transfer window opens. It's the second time Ridgewell has spent the MLS offseason back in England - last year, the former West Brom player spent the winter break on loan with Wigan Athletic.

"Prior to last season Liam was able to get valuable offseason games with Wigan and it helped him hit the ground running in 2015," club head coach Caleb Porter said. "When a similar opportunity came about with Brighton, we felt it would again be advantageous for both Liam and our club.

"It was also important to have the loan end before our preseason tournament like last year so we have time to plug Liam back in before our first match."

Ridgewell will miss the Timbers' preseason camp and return to the team by March 6.

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