Mikael Silvestre to make Stateside move.
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Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre is to become the latest Premier League player to move to the MLS in the United States after signing a deal to join the Portland Timbers.
French international Silvestre has been without a club since October when he left Bundesliga side Werder Bremen after two years with the club and will now try his luck in the MLS following a successful two-week trial with the Portland Timbers.
The 35-year-old had been acquired by the Seattle Sounders, but a trade deal with the Portland Timbers will see him begin his career in the MLS with the latter, who plan to use him at left-back rather than as a centre-back where he is also comfortable playing.
“Mikael will bring a tremendous amount of experience and a presence on the field and in the locker room,” Timbers head coach Caleb Porter is quoted as saying by Goal.com. “He is a quality player on both sides of the ball and his impact will certainly go a long way in helping to solidify our back line.”
Silvestre, who has been capped by 40 times by France, began his career with Rennes and then moved to Inter Milan, but it was with Manchester United that he enjoyed the best days of his career with five Premier League titles and a Champions League success in 10 seasons between 1999 and 2008.
He then left to join Arsenal, where he spent two seasons between 2008 and 2010, before moving to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.