Portland Timbers sign center back Miguel Araujo from FC Emmen
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing UPDATE (June 30) – The Portland Timbers have signed center back Miguel Araujo from Dutch side FC Emmen, the club announced Friday.
ACQUIRED: On June 30, 2023 on a full transfer from Dutch side FC Emmen. Miguel Araujo will be under contract through 2025 with a club option in 2026, and will occupy an international spot on the roster.
2024: Notched fourth assist against VAN on Sept. 28... Assisted on Jonathan RodrÃguez’s late game-tying goal in 3-3 draw against RSL on Sept. 21... Made second-ever Timbers goal contribution with assist against Colorado Rapids on Sept. 14... Tallied his first career MLS goal contribution, an assist, against Nashville on July 7... Earned his first start of the season on April 7 at SKC... Made his 2024 debut for the Timbers as a sub against DC on March 2.
2023: Made his MLS debut with a start against Houston on Aug. 20... Made his Timbers debut on July 26 in Leagues Cup play against Tigres UANL (LIGA MX).
CAREER: Miguel Araujo joins the Timbers after spending five seasons (2019-2023) at FC Emmen playing in the Netherlands’ top-tier league Eredivisie, where he registered 12 goals and four assists in 118 appearances across all competitions. With FC Emmen, the Peruvian defender featured in the Dutch Cup, logging a goal and assist in eight appearances for FC Emmen. Notably, Araujo earned Player of the Year honors (2020-21) and led the club to become the 2022 Dutch second-tier Champions, registering five goals and two assists in 29 appearances that season.
The Lima, Peru native began his professional career in 2011 with Peruvian’s top-tier side Cobresol, making his debut at the age 17 on November 5, 2011, against Universidad Cesar Vallejo. The defender made 164 appearances over seven seasons (2011-13, 2014-19) in the Peruvian top tier Liga 1 with Cobresol, Sport Huancayo and Club Alianza Lima. During that time, Araujo had a short stint with Red Star Belgrade in Serbia’s first division in the 2013-14 season, logging five appearances and helping the team to a championship season. In the 2016-17 campaign, Araujo helped Alianza to become the Liga 1 Champions. In the 2018-19 season, Araujo joined Club Atletico Talleres in Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Futbol on loan, logging 12 appearances. Notably, Araujo made nine appearances in Copa Libertadores, logging 805 minutes in the international competition when playing with Talleres (Argentina) and Club Alianza Lima (Peru).
INTERNATIONAL: Araujo has earned 33 caps for Peru. Most recently, Araujo started in Peru’s first two Copa America 2024 group stage matches against Chile and Canada. Notably, Araujo featured in Peru’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the 2019 and 2021 Copa America squads for Peru. Araujo received his first senior call up on March 27, 2013, and went on to make his debut on November 18, 2014, in a friendly match against Paraguay. Additionally, the defender played for Peru’s U-17 and U-20, making appearances in the 2011 South American U-17 Football Championship and the 2013 South American Youth Championship.