PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed defender Zarek Valentin to a new contract.
Valentin, 27, has played the past three seasons (2016-18) for the Timbers, making 71 regular-season appearances (65 starts) and registering one goal and five assists during that span. During the 2018 season, Valentin set career-bests in appearances (32), starts (30) and minutes played (2,721) during the regular season. Valentin, who appeared in 40 games across all competitions in 2018, made his first postseason appearance during the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, eventually making six appearances (5 starts) and logging 457 minutes played as the Timbers advanced to their second MLS Cup in four seasons.