Portland Timbers are set to secure the signing of David Pereira Da Costa from Lens, despite the midfielder’s underwhelming attacking output this season.
According to RMC Sport, a full agreement has been reached between the two clubs, with the transfer fee estimated at €7 million. The 24-year-old is now awaiting his visa before making the move to MLS.
Pereira Da Costa has struggled for impact in the current campaign, registering just one assist in 14 appearances while playing only 461 minutes. However, Portland seems willing to overlook those numbers, likely valuing his overall potential and technical ability over recent form.
The Portuguese-born midfielder, who has been with Lens for nine years, progressed through the club’s academy before breaking into the senior team in 2021. He has since made 122 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, contributing ten goals along the way.
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At Portland, Pereira Da Costa will join a squad that has been actively reshaping ahead of the 2025 MLS season. The Timbers have reinforced their backline by signing Colombian defender Jimer Fory from Independiente Medellín, as well as first-round SuperDraft pick Ian Smith.
In attack, they have secured Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy from Shakhtar Donetsk after trading $75,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to FC Cincinnati for his Right of First Refusal.
While his statistics this season don’t jump off the page, Portland appears confident that a change of scenery will help unlock Pereira Da Costa’s best form.
If the move goes through, it will mark a significant step in the Timbers’ efforts to strengthen their squad for the upcoming campaign.