The Portland Timbers are finalizing the signing of Mexico international right back Josecarlos Van Rankin on loan from Chivas Guadalajara, sources tell MLSsoccer.com.
The deal is in its final stages and includes a purchase option for Portland at the end of the loan for over $1 million.
Van Rankin, 27, had spent his entire career in his native country and made his debut with the Mexican national team in 2018. He spent 2020 on loan with Santos Laguna, where he made 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice. He broke through with Pumas and made 173 appearances with the club before joining Chivas in 2018.
The fullback is a natural on the right, though can play left back as well. Van Rankin is lauded as a good 1v1 defender with strong pace and excellent crossing ability.
Van Rankin would join Pablo Bonilla as the club's only two natural right backs. Portland remain high on the Venezuelan youth international, who made 10 MLS starts in 2020.
Van Rankin's ability to cover both fullback positions is attractive to the club, given the expectation that new signing Claudio Bravo would likely be called up by Argentina for the Olympics, should the tournament go on as scheduled.
Portland have done a fair bit of maneuvering along their backline this offseason.
Bravo has already officially signed to be the club's starting left back, while Jorge Villafana, Marco Farfan and Julio Cascante have departed via trades. Meanwhile, center back stalwart Larrys Mabiala signed a new contract to extend his stay at the club.
