San Jose Earthquakes acquire Jeremy Ebobisse in shock trade

Portland Timbers traded forward Jeremy Ebobisse to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $1.167m in General Allocation Money, the club announced. 

The shocking transfer gives the Earthquakes a fast tracked opportunity to qualify for Major League Soccer playoffs as they sit in 10th place of the Western Conference with 18 points in 17 matches. 

“We couldn’t be more excited about bringing Jeremy to San Jose,” San Jose technical director Chris Leitch said in a club statement. “Jeremy is an exciting young player with significant MLS experience and a proven track record for scoring goals. We think he’ll be a great leader for our team and a great ambassador for our community.” 

“He’s a player that we have been eyeing for a while now,” said Earthquakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “When this opportunity came up, with support from our ownership group, we’re adding a young player who we believe will be important for our project.”

Ebobisse first joined Portland in 2017 after the MLS side picked him up as the number four overall pick in league SuperDraft. He recorded 26 goals and eight assists in 88 overall appearances for the side, and was an integral part of the team’s success.

“I think the Earthquakes and the project that they’ve been building, especially since Matias Almeyda has been at the helm, is something that’s been really exciting to watch from afar,” Ebobisse said. 

“As an individual, I look at them and I see a unified group that’s all going in one direction, through thick and thin, always backing each other. I want to add my personality to the group, learn from everyone that’s already there, and try to add what I bring to the table on the field. It’s an exciting project, in which there’s a lot of faith in me to score a lot of goals. Ultimately I want to help the team in every way possible.”

The Timbers explained their decision in a club statement, revealing it was not taken lightly. 

“The decision to trade a player that’s had Jeremy Ebobisse’s impact can never be taken lightly," said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers general manager and president of soccer in a team release. "We know what he has meant to our team, club, and community. Our partnership with Jeremy has always been true to what’s best for all parties.

"This decision allows Jeremy to continue pursuing his career objectives while putting this club in a stronger position to manage its roster commitments going forward through acquiring a considerable amount of allocation money. I want to thank Jeremy for everything he contributed to make the Timbers a better club on and off the field during his four-and-a-half years in Portland.”