Portland Timbers acquire Alexander Aravena on loan

Brazilian midfielder joins MLS club for 2026 season with purchase option

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:20am

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The Portland Timbers have announced the signing of midfielder Alexander Aravena on loan from Brazilian club Gremio for the 2026 MLS season. The deal includes a purchase option, allowing the Timbers to potentially make the move permanent at the end of the loan period.

Why it matters

The acquisition of Aravena represents an opportunity for the Timbers to bolster their midfield with a talented young player from Brazil's top league. Loan deals with purchase options are a common strategy for MLS clubs to test out foreign talent before committing to a permanent transfer.

The details

Aravena, a 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder, has joined the Portland Timbers on a one-year loan deal from Gremio. The agreement includes a purchase option, giving the Timbers the ability to sign Aravena permanently at the conclusion of the 2026 MLS season.

  • The loan deal was announced on March 11, 2026.

The players

Alexander Aravena

A 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder who has joined the Portland Timbers on loan from Gremio for the 2026 MLS season.

Portland Timbers

The MLS club that has acquired Alexander Aravena on loan from Gremio with a purchase option.

Gremio

The Brazilian club that has loaned Alexander Aravena to the Portland Timbers for the 2026 season.

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What’s next

If the loan deal is successful, the Portland Timbers will have the option to sign Alexander Aravena permanently at the end of the 2026 MLS season.

The takeaway

The acquisition of Alexander Aravena on loan represents an opportunity for the Portland Timbers to evaluate a talented young Brazilian midfielder and potentially add him to their roster on a permanent basis if he performs well during the 2026 MLS season.