PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that forward Jose Valencia will join Argentina first-division side Olimpo de Bahía Blanca on a season-long loan.



“Jose is a young and talented player who needs consistent playing time in order to continue in his development,” said Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson. “With the addition of Gastón Fernández, we felt it was best for Jose to go on loan. Olimpo is excited to have Jose on loan and the club will provide him the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a top league and will continue to push him in his development.”



Valencia, 22, made 21 regular-season appearances (5 starts) in his first full MLS season in 2013, scoring one goal and recording three assists. He also played in three matches during Portland’s run to the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals and made a pair of appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Valencia was the leading scorer for the Timbers Reserves in the MLS Reserve League with five goals.



From Bogotá, Colombia, Valencia joined the Timbers on Dec. 15, 2011, from Colombian side Independiente Santa Fe, where he started his professional career in 2008. He missed the 2012 campaign with Portland due to preseason knee surgery.



Valencia is a former Colombia youth international and was a standout for the Colombia U-20 National Team during the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.



Olimpo is located in the city of Bahía Blanca in Argentina’s Buenos Aires Province. The club finished the Primera División’s Torneo Inicial with a record of 6-8-5 (23pts). The league’s Torneo Final runs February to May.