Timbers Sign Colombian Defender Hanyer Mosquera

January 17, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers today announced the signing of Colombian defender Hanyer Mosquera. Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson made the announcement. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mosquera, 24, joins the Timbers after playing the past six seasons in Colombia, including the last two with first-division side Club Deportivo La Equidad Seguros. Last season, he helped lead La Equidad to the finals of the Liga Postob�n's Apertura campaign and competed in the 2011 Copa Sudamericana.

"Hanyer is a player we've had our eye on for 18 months," said Wilkinson. "He has all the attributes needed to become one of the top defenders in MLS."

Mosquera will be added to the Timbers roster following the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.

A native of Istmina, Colombia, Mosquera played in 34 matches, scored two goals and aided in 10 shutouts in league play for La Equidad in 2011. He anchored La Equidad's backline during the Apertura campaign, starting 22 games, including six playoff matches, and scored in the second leg of the quarterfinals against Envigado to guide the club to the finals against Atlético Nacional.

In the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, Mosquera made four starts for La Equidad during the tournament and scored the game-winning goal in an opening-round match against Peruvian side Juan Aurich.

He started his professional career at the age of 19 in 2006, signing with Colombian second-division club Corporaci�n Deportiva Centauros Villavicencio. He played the last four seasons in Colombia's top flight, the Liga Postob�n, with Corporaci�n Deportes QuindÃ-o (2008-10) and La Equidad (2010-11). In total, Mosquera appeared in 127 matches and scored six goals during his career in the Liga Postob�n.

Mosquera joined La Equidad from QuindÃ-o midway through the 2010 season, and then helped La Equidad qualify for the Clausura playoffs as well as the 2011 Copa Sudamericana and advance to the semifinals of the 2010 Copa Colombia tournament.

During his first two professional seasons with Centauros, Mosquera contributed to postseason appearances made by the club in both 2006 and 2007. He was part of Centauros top-ranked defense in 2006, in which the backline finished the Torneo PostobÃ"n's Clausura campaign tied for the fewest goals allowed, conceding just 17 goals in 18 games.

Major League Soccer Stories from January 17, 2012

• Chivas USA Selects Five Players in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
• Chivas USA Acquires Goalkeeper Tim Melia - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
• Whitecaps FC Select Four Players in MLS Supplemental Draft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Impact Acquires Defender Gienir Garcia from Whitecaps - Club de Foot Montreal
• Whitecaps FC Acquire MLS Discovery Rights to Striker Etienne Barbara - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Real Salt Lake Acquires Rights to Leone Cruz, Keeps Three Selections from SuperDraft - Real Salt Lake
• Galaxy shore up depth with draft picks Meyer, Walker - LA Galaxy
• Sounders FC Selects Four Players in MLS Supplemental Draft - Seattle Sounders FC
• Dynamo Select Five Players in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - Houston Dynamo FC
• Crew Selects Four in MLS Supplemental Draft - Columbus Crew SC
• The Montreal Impact Adds Four Players in MLS Supplemental Draft - Club de Foot Montreal
• Timbers Select Four Players in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - Portland Timbers
• Toronto FC Select Five Players in Supplemental Draft - Toronto FC
• Chicago Fire Select Four Players in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - Chicago Fire FC
• New York Selects Three Players in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - New York Red Bulls
• Philadelphia Union Select Four in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - Philadelphia Union
• 75 Players Selected in 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft - MLS
• Rapids Select Yamada and Helmick in Supplemental Draft - Colorado Rapids
• D.C. United Selects Three Players in Supplemental Draft - D.C. United
• Sporting KC Selects Four in Supplemental Draft - Sporting Kansas City
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer Introduce Youth Soccer Season Ticket - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Quaker Oats and Chicago Fire Soccer Club Team Up - Chicago Fire FC
• Impact and Olympic Park Announce Four-Year Partnership - Club de Foot Montreal
• New York Red Bulls Weekly Update - New York Red Bulls
• Whitecaps FC Acquire Goalkeeper Brad Knighton - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Timbers Sign Colombian Defender Hanyer Mosquera - Portland Timbers
• Earthquakes Acquire Fourth Round Supplemental Draft Pick for Right of First Refusal for M Michael Th - San Jose Earthquakes
• Sporting Kansas City Acquires Right of First Refusal for Midfielder Michael Thomas - Sporting Kansas City

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Portland Timbers Stories

• Timbers Team up with Local Partners for 14th Annual Stand Together Week July 7-12
• Juan Mosquera Named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 19
• Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes Share Points in 1-1 Draw at Providence Park
• Timbers Set to Honor 1975 Alumni at Spirit of 75 Night Friday, June 13, at Providence Park
• Timbers Down St. Louis City SC 2-1 with Late Game Winner at Providence Park