Frenchman Mikael Silvestre decides to join Portland Timbers, not Dodsal FC

Former French international Mikaël Samy Silvestre is joining MLS side Portland Timbers for their 2013 season and will not be joining I-League Division 2 side Dodsal FC as had been stated earlier by the player himself. Silvestre had created quiet a stir by announcing in October that he is set to come to India to play for Dodsal FC, but the newly formed club never confirmed the transfer, though talks had taken place between the two sides.

Silvestre, in his illustrious club career, has played for Stade Rennes, Inter Milan, Manchester United, FC Arsenal and Werder Bremen. He had been released at the end of last season by Bundesliga side Werder Bremen after a disappointing two years in Germany and he had been searching for a new club in Europe to sign. He initially kept himself fit at former club Arsenal with a hope to sign for West Ham United which didn’t happen and then he returned to Manchester to keep himself fit at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, where Silvestre had his most successful stint.

The Timbers rivals Seattle Sounders, who also had looked to sign Silvestre, held the rights of first refusal for Silvestre, and Portland sent a first-round pick in the 2014 Supplemental Draft and a conditional 2015 draft pick to their rivals in exchange for the opportunity to land their man.

“Mikaël will bring a tremendous amount of experience and a presence on the field and in the locker room,” Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said in a statement. “He is a quality player on both sides of the ball and his impact will certainly go a long way in helping to solidify our backline. Mikaël made a very positive impression on the players and our coaching staff during his two-week trial and we are very excited to welcome him to the Timbers organization.”

While it is a gain for Portland and the MLS, it is a loss for Dodsal FC and Indian football.