FC Emmen and the Portland Timbers are in the midst of a transfer for the Peruvian center back Miguel Araujo (via Tom Bogert of The Athletic and Ryan Clark of The Oregonian).
Portland, coming off of a tie to end the week against NYCFC, sits at 10th in the West – just missing the MLS playoffs. Portland is also the third-lowest for goals allowed (27) in the league. Although the transfer window won’t be set until July 5, Portland will be able to finally cement the hole that Bill Tuiloma left after the preseason Charlotte FC trade.
Araujo, a defensive player, has been stalwart since his 2014 season premiere with Peru. Although starting his career with clubs such as Cobresol, Sport Huancayo, Red Star Belgrade, and Alianza, Araujo shined as a center back for the Peruvian National Team, as well as being selected for the 2018 World Cup's 23-man team in Russia.
This will be the first transfer for Araujo since his transfer from Alliance Lima to FC Emmen in 2019. Araujo has been featured in over 130 matches, marking 31 appearances for this season alone.
His tenure, on the international level, has added six goals and one assist to Emmen's record. Araujo has started in over 70 matches with the Dutch team, and will hopefully be entering the Major Leagues after the breaking of Peru's 36-year drought from the World Cup in 2018 and a Dutchmen's trophy.
This season, Araujo has only captured one goal for FC Emmen. Portland, however, will have a hearty backbone towards stopping the onslaught of goals allowed. This isn't to say that soccer fans are going to see a completely renovated defense, especially after the scandals of last year and the steady decline of attendance in recent years. However, a rock-steady veteran like Araujo should have no problem alleviating some defensive strain at Providence Park and on the road.