FC Emmen loses another stronghold with Miguel Araujo. Defender signs with Portland Timbers

Araujo has yet to undergo a medical examination. It is only when it is successful that the transition is a fact. It would be the Peruvian Portland Timbers’ first summer acquisition. His new employer plays at the top level in the United States, MLS, and is currently ranked 10th in the Western Conference.

“Additional and solid option”

Head coach Giavanni Savarese says he is very happy with Araujo’s arrival. “We are convinced that Miguel is a solid additional option for us defensively. We believe that Araujo’s experience, accumulated in a competitive league like the Netherlands, will provide the healthy and desired competition. Araujo is also an international player for the Peru national team. We are very happy to have a leader in our team.

118 appearances for FC Emmen

For Araujo, his time in Emmen is coming to an end. Drents snapped him up from Peru’s Alianza Lima in the fall of 2019. Since then, he has played 118 appearances for FC Emmen, regularly wearing the captain’s armband. Considering his non-EU status, he was the absolute top earner of the Emmer selection. The minimum salary for a player in this category was half a million last season.

The amount of compensation is unclear

As Araujo was still under contract at De Oude Meerdijk until the summer of 2024, FC Emmen will receive compensation for the defender. Its amount is not known at this time. Araujo reportedly had a clause included in his contract in the summer of last year when he extended his contract, allowing him to leave for a limited fee.

Araujo is the umpteenth strongman who closed the door behind him at FC Emmen after last season. Jeroen Veldmate, Mark Diemers, Keziah Veendorp, Mickey van der Hart and Ole Romeny, among others, left early. For various reasons, they did not renew their expiring contracts.