Transfer Tracker

Portland Timbers sign defender Dario Zuparic from Croatian club HNK Rijeka

Dario Zuparic - Portland Timbers - signing

TRANSFER TRACKER:Signing


The Portland Timbers have bolstered their backline ahead of the 2020 season, as defender Dario Zuparic has been signed from Croatian side HNK Rijeka to a multi-year contract by using Targeted Allocation Money. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle first reported the news on Tuesday.


Zuparic, 27, will officially be added to Portlandā€™s roster, pending a physical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa. Zuparic will occupy an international slot for the Timbers.


ā€œDario was targeted as a player of interest over a year ago and we are delighted to get a proven defender at a very good age to join the Timbers,ā€ said Gavin Wilkinson, GM and president of soccer for the Timbers in a statement. ā€œDario brings a wealth of experience and we believe his playing style, experience and leadership qualities will be very beneficial to the team and we expect him to make a significant impact once he is fully transitioned.ā€


Zuparic has been with HNK Rijeka since 2017, and helped them win the 2016-17 Croatian First League title and raise the Croatian Football Cup in 2016-17 and 2018-19. Heā€™s also made 97 appearances for Italian club Pescara, and helped the team secure promotion to Serie A during the 2015-16 campaign. His professional career began with Croatian side HNK Cibalia in 2011.


ā€œWe are pleased to add Dario as a proven defender to our roster,ā€ said head coach Giovanni Savarese. ā€œDarioā€™s vast experience playing in Europe will be an important asset to strengthen our backline and his winning mentality perfectly aligns with the teamā€™s culture.ā€


On the international stage, Zuparic made three appearances for the U-19 Bosnia and Herzegovina national team and seven appearances with the Croatian U-21 national team.