Portland Timbers sign Colombian defender Juan David Mosquera from Independiente Medellín

The Portland Timbers have completed the signing of defender Juan David Mosquera from Colombian top-flight side Independiente Medellín.

The 19-year-old has moved via Major League Soccer's U22 Initiative, signing a deal through 2026 with a club option on a further year. He joins David Ayala and Santiago Moreno as Portland's third U22 Initiative player.

"Juan David is a talented player who at a young age has showcased his abilities at the club level as well as in important tournaments such as Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana," Timbers general manager and president of soccer Gavin Wilkinson said in a club press release.

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"For a young player, he has already amassed a good number of professional games at a high level, and we believe he has all the attributes to be a great addition to the team. We are excited to welcome him and continue his development."

Primarily a right-back, Mosquera spent three seasons with Medellín's senior team, registering three goals and three assists in 59 appearances across all competitions. The teenager featured twice for Colombia during the U-17 South American Championship in 2019, playing the full 90 minutes against Argentina and Uruguay.

Adding to Wilkinson's comments, Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese said: "We’re excited to welcome Juan David to Portland. We believe he will give us depth and strength, while we also will provide him with the right environment to develop as a player and as a person.

"His talent and skillset will make us a more competitive team. We’ve incorporated and trusted young, talented players into our team and we have seen their growth.

"These young players have adapted themselves in a very positive way, so I’m looking forward to working with Juan David as he develops with us at the Timbers."

Mosquera joins a Timbers side sitting eighth in the Western Conference, just below the Playoff line, though they are enjoying a seven-game unbeaten streak ahead of a trip to Minnesota United this weekend.