Goal.com's Ives Galarcep is reporting that the Portland Timbers are on the verge of adding midfielder Ned Grabavoy and defender Zarek Valentin to the side ahead of the start of the 2016 MLS preseason. According to Galarcep, Grabavoy will join the Timbers as a free agent -- one of the league's inaugural class -- while Valentin, despite coming on a free transfer from Norwegian side Bodo Glimt, will require a trade with the Montreal Impact for his rights.
Grabavoy, 32, is the classic "shuttler", capable of holding the ball and distributing from the center of the pitch.