Miguel Araujo continues his career with Portland Timbers. The Peruvian defender of FC Emmen, who was active in Drenthe for more than two and a half years, signs a contract in the Northwest of the United States until 2025 with an option for an extra year.
Araujo still has to undergo a medical examination. Only when it is successful, the transition is a fact. This would make the Peruvian Portland Timbers’ first summer acquisition. His new employer plays at the highest level in the United States, the MLS, and is currently ranked 10th in the Western Conference.
‘Extra, solid option’
The head coach, Giavanni Savarese, says he is very pleased with the arrival of Araujo. “We are convinced that Miguel is an additional, solid option for us defensively. We think that Araujo’s experience, built up in a competitive league like the Dutch one, will provide the desired, healthy competition. Araujo is also an international player in the Peru national team. We are very happy to have a leader in our team.”
118 matches for FC Emmen
For Araujo, his period in Emmen comes to an end. The Drents took over him from Alianza Lima from Peru in the fall of 2019. Since then he played 118 matches for FC Emmen, regularly wearing the captain’s armband. Given his non-EU status, he was the absolute top earner in the Emmer selection. The minimum salary for a player in that category was half a million last season.
Compensation amount unclear
Since Araujo was still under contract at De Oude Meerdijk until the summer of 2024, FC Emmen will receive compensation for the defender. Its amount is currently unclear. Araujo reportedly had a clause included in his contract in the summer of last year when he extended his contract, allowing him to leave for a limited amount.
Araujo is the umpteenth strongman who has closed the door behind him at FC Emmen after last season. Jeroen Veldmate, Mark Diemers, Keziah Veendorp, Mickey van der Hart and Ole Romeny, among others, left earlier. For various reasons, they did not renew their expiring contacts.