Portland Timbers seal signing of ex-Newcastle defender Steven Taylor

The Portland Timbers secured the signing of former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor on Monday.
Taylor had been a free agent after ending his 21-year association with Newcastle earlier this summer when his contract expired.
The 30-year-old had been linked with a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce, but he will instead move to MLS with the Timbers.
Taylor held talks and underwent a medical with the reigning MLS Cup champions last week before the team announced the deal on Monday.

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BREAKING: Timbers sign English Premier League defender Steven Taylor.http://ow.ly/3aW3302Ol5Z  #RCTID

1:01 PM - 1 Aug 2016

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"Taylor is a player with a wealth of experience in the English Premier League and will be a good fit in our club," Timbers general manager Gavin Wilkinson said.
"This addition addresses a positional need at a critical stage of the season."

Timbers owner Merritt Paulson says winning the MLS cup last year did wonders for the city of Portland.

The move will see Taylor link up with former Aston Villa and Birmingham City defender Liam Ridgewell with the Timbers.
Former England under-21 international Taylor made 268 appearances, and scored 15 goals during his time at Newcastle, where he at times struggled to stay injury-free.
"Steven Taylor gives us a proven piece that can step into our backline and perform immediately," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "His experience and leadership will be very important to our team down the stretch."