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Rival Championship club want former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor – Reports

7 years ago
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December brought surprise news from the MLS where Steven Taylor parted company with Portland Timbers.

After being released by Newcastle last summer, the defender agreed a two and a half year deal with the MLS club in August.

However, only four months into the contract, Portland and Steven Taylor ‘mutually agreed’ to go their separate ways.

No explanation was given and no news in the past weeks as to a potential new club.

Until this (Friday) morning, with reports from Suffolk claiming that Ipswich want Steven Taylor to join them.

The mid-table Championship club are strapped for cash and so free agent Taylor could well fit the bill for them.

He turns 31 on Monday so potentially has a few more years left in him at this level.

Portland Timbers Press Release December 2016:

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers and defender Steven Taylor have mutually agreed to part ways, it was announced today.

In the 2016 campaign, Taylor appeared in nine MLS regular-season games (9 starts) for Portland, scoring one goal in a 4-2 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Aug. 28 at Providence Park.

“We appreciate Steven’s contributions while in Portland and wish him all the best,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager and president of soccer for the Timbers.

Taylor, 30, signed with Portland on Aug. 1, 2016, after spending 13 seasons in England with Newcastle United F.C.

Transaction: Portland Timbers and Steven Taylor mutually agree to terminate the defender’s contract on Dec. 15, 2016.’

This is how Oregon Live reported the news:

‘The Portland Timbers and English center back Steven Taylor have agreed to mutually part ways.

Taylor joined Portland in August after Timbers starting center back Nat Borchers went down with a season-ending Achilles injury.

The 30-year-old made nine starts for Portland and scored one goal during the 2016 season, but looked shaky during his time on the field.’

Steven Taylor’s Statement:

‘I’d like to thank everyone at Portland Timbers for an unforgettable few months on and off the field.

Firstly, I’ve got to thank Merritt Paulson and Gavin Wilkinson for giving me the opportunity to represent such a fantastic club as well as Caleb Porter, my team-mates and all the staff. Caleb is a top-class coach and I loved playing for him. There’s a great locker room at the club and the players made me feel at home from day one.

The backroom team have also been brilliant with me. I’ve never felt fitter. I didn’t miss a day’s training and I loved coming to work every day.

Also, I want to thank the Timbers Army for their support on the pitch and in the city. They were so welcoming and so supportive. I loved playing for them. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Portland, and the club, the people and city couldn’t have done more for me. I was proud to pull on the jersey and represent the club, especially in such a special place to play like Providence Park.

While I will be returning to the other side of the Atlantic, I wish the Timbers and their supporters all the best as I continue following them and supporting them from afar.’

Newcastle are scheduled to play away at Ipswich on Monday 17 April.

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