PTFC: Transfers news and rumors update
The Thorns are adding reinforcements to their respective squad, and the Timbers look close to doing the same
Another one for the Thorns!
The Portland Thorns continue to remake their center back group. After adding Sam Hiatt in free agency last week, they’ve doubled up on the position with signing Brazilian centerback Daiane.
The club shared via a press release that they “[H]ave signed Brazilian centerback Daiane through the 2026 season via transfer from Flamengo for an undisclosed transfer fee, pending the receipt of her P-1 visa, International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and completion of entry physical.”
"I am very happy to be a Thorn and I can't wait to defend this big club,” said Daiane.
After the struggles on defense in 2024, there was never a doubt that they were going to freshen up the backline. Although they are quite set at full back, the question mostly pertained to the center backs. With Becky Sauerbrunn’s and Kelli Hubly’s free agency status, the Portland Thorns needed to shore up this position.
“Daiane brings a wealth of international experience, competing globally at the highest of levels,” head coach Rob Gale said. “She adds quality and depth to a position of need and we are excited to see how she contributes and adapts to this league.”
Daiane, 27, has a ton of experience having played in Brazil, France, Norway and Spain. She most recently played for Flamengo (Brazil). She has also spent time in Spain with Real Madrid and Madrid CFF. In 2018, she played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and made nine appearances for the club. Her career in Europe began with Avaldsnes IL (Norway).
Internationally, Daiane has earned 12 caps for the Brazil National Team, including at the 2019 FIFA WC.
The center back group for Portland Thorns now includes: Isa Obaze, Sam Hiatt, and Daiane. Do not be surprised to see Becky Sauerbrunn back, but also do not rule them out adding a young CB to the group…
The general manager should be announced quite soon as well.
Portland Timbers begin their business
“The Portland Timbers have acquired the right of first refusal to negotiate a transfer for forward Kevin Kelsy from FC Cincinnati,” according to GiveMeSport’s Tom Bogert.
After two months of silence from the Timbers on the transfer front, they appear to be making a move for a young player at a position of need. Earlier in the winter, Ned Grabavoy hinted at the Timbers being interested in acquiring a U-22 initiative striker this offseason — enter, Kevin Kelsy. Kelsy is a 20-year-old Venezuelan striker who joined FC Cincinnati on loan from Ukrainian giant Shakhtar Donetsk in April, scoring six goals in 25 MLS matches.
His first five goals came in his first 11 games, but Kelsy only managed to add one more in Cincy’s final 14 fixtures — six goals on 35 shots, 17 of which were on-target in 1,244 minutes of play. He also boasts a similar pass completion percentage (77.4%) as Felipe Mora (77%), but provided zero assists compared to Mora’s six in 2024.
At 6’4”, Kelsy would provide an immediate physical and aerial threat that the Timbers haven’t had since Fanendo Adi was traded to …FC Cincinnati… in 2018.
This offseason, the Timbers have moved on from both Mason Toye and Tega Ikoba, which has left Mora (who has recently been reported to have interest in a return to Chile this winter) as the lone striker on the roster for the 2025 season, so I think the move makes all the sense in the world for Portland.
Kelsy is young, has goal-scoring experience (in MLS, Ukraine, the Champions League, and internationally for Venezuela in Olympic qualifying), and addresses a position and profile of need for the club — the exact type of player the Timbers should be targeting with one of their U-22 slots.
The Timbers still have to negotiate a transfer fee with Shakhtar Donetsk for Kelsy, but this is promising news for the club and hopefully the kick-start of a major window for Ned Grabavoy and Phil Neville.
Quick Update: After posting this piece, Tom Bogert also reported on Twitter that "This doesn't impact the future of Felipe Mora or Jonathan Rodriguez... sources say Portland Timbers fully planning for them at the club and haven't had conversations with other clubs about either player.
Kelsy would join via U-22 initiative if Portland get deal done."
"Internationally, Daiane has earned 12 caps for the Brazil National Team, including at the 2019 FIFA WC."
Alright, look. Rob Gale seems to be "Acting GM." By "acting" I mean literally. What I take from this announcement is that he remains obsessed with avoiding transfers from most recent World Cup team players and 2024 Olympic medalist national team players.
What the %#@*&!!! is going on here?