Nigerian striker, Fanendo Adi, has bid farewell to Major Soccer League club, Portland Timbers, in grand style.
The 27-year-old played his last match for the Timbers on Sunday at Providence Park in Oregon and led them to a 2-1 win by scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute.
Adi is legend for the Timbers, having scored 54 goals and racked up 12 assists in 126 appearances.
“There comes a time in life where sometimes you move on, but the Portland Timbers are always going to be a family for me,” Adi said in the wake of the match. “I’m just grateful for everything.”
The 27-year-old is set to move to FC Cincinnati after losing his starting place in Oregon.
Adi’s decisive goal in his final game for the team was “an awesome moment” according to Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who added: “It’s a legendary send off for a club legend.”
“He has been a tremendous and important component of the growth of the Portland Timbers,” said Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese before turning to address Adi directly.
“In the past five years, you’ve done so much for this club and we wanted to wish you well, the best from me. I was proud to be able to coach you and you always gave me everything.”
Meanwhile, MLS Expansion club, FC Cincinnati informs via their official website that they have acquired Adi in exchange for $450,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) and $400,000 in MLS Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
If performance related incentives are included, Portland Timbers could receive up to $100,000 in future TAM and portion of any future international transfer value through the 2020 summer transfer window.
”Fanendo is a proven MLS star who has realized success year after year in Portland,” Technical Director Luke Sassano said.
”We’re thrilled to have him join our squad this season, get acclimated to both Cincinnati and our club. We expect he will find success as he settles in.