FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland Timbers Acquire Ghanaian International Winger Ishmael Yartey On Loan From FC Sion

Washington, D.C. (Stone Sports Management, LLC) – March 26, 2015

Stone Sports Management, LLC ("SSM") is pleased to announce that Ghana International Ishmael Yartey has signed with Major League Soccer and the Portland Timbers on loan from Swiss Super League FC Sion. The Short-Term Loan is until June 30, 2015 with an undisclosed purchase option. The 25 year-old Accra native is expected to provide Timbers Head Coach Caleb Porter an additional left side attacking Winger option in his traditional 4-3-3 system.  Yartey's versatility will also provide the Timbers with a Striker or central Attacking Midfielder option. Yartey will arrive in Portland as soon as his P1-Visa is processed. 

"I am excited to join the Portland Timbers and to play in Major League Soccer," remarks Ishmael Yartey. I had already paid attention to MLS as have had many friends and ex-teammates play in the league. When the Timbers approached me with this opportunity, I consulted with them and each told me that the Timbers are one of the better organizations in MLS and that their fans are the best and most passionate. After doing more research on the club and city, and most importantly after speaking with Coach Porter about his system and philosophy, I had the desire to make this move to MLS."

The Timbers go on the road this weekend against their Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps after drawing their first three matches, including two 0-0 matches. Portland currently sits in 7th place in the Western Conference with 3 points. 

"I have already watched the first three matches and can see that Providence Park provides an inspiring atmosphere," reflected Yartey. I eagerly wait to join my teammates and begin working hard to get the chance to show my abilities in front of the Timbers Army and help the club gain points towards the goal of winning the Supporters Shield." 

Yartey's performances with the Ghana U-17 National Team, including the 2007 World Cup in South Korea where he played in all matches, scoring a goal against Colombia and helped Ghana to a 4th place finish, sparked interest from Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.  While in Lisbon with Sporting, Benfica upped its loan bid to Yartey’s local Ghanaian side Gamba All Blacks, and after one season, Benfica purchased Yartey outright and signed him to a 4-year contract, joining other talented wingers Benfica brought in from the 2007 U-20 World Cup including current Real Madrid and Portuguese International Fábio Coentrão, United States International Freddy Adu as well as Manchester United and Argentine International Angel Di Maria. With the above mentioned players as well as Seville’s Jose Antonio Reyes as an established winger, Benfical would loan Yartey within Portugal to SC Beira Mar (2009/2010) and CD Fatima (2010/2011) as well as to Swiss Super League club Servette (2011/2012).  

He had his most successful season at Servette scoring 9 Goals and providing 2 Assists in 34 matches between league and cup play. In response, Ghana called Yartey into the Black Stars for the first time in May 2012 to complete against Lesotho and Zambia in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. Ligue 1 side Sochaux noticed Yartey's strong performances with Servette, and on July 22, 2012 signed Yartey to his second four-year contract, after agreeing with Benfica on a 2.5 Million Euro transfer fee preventing other European suitors such as Lille, Marseille, AZ Alkmaar and Borussia Monchengladbach from signing him.

After one season with Sochaux (14 games between Ligue 1 and Cup play), the Ligue 1 side loaned Yartey to the FC Sion during the 2013/2014 season where he played in 22 Games and scored 2 Goals. On June 4, 2014, Sion FC exercised its Buy Option for 900,000 Euros and signed Yartey to another four-year contract. However, a dispute emerged between the two clubs on the amount based on Sion staying in the Swiss Super League but eventually the clubs agreed to let Yartey play during the 2014/2015 season while the matter goes through FIFA. Yartey is excited to put this tumultuous situation behind him and to make the most of this opportunity with the Timbers and Major League Soccer. 

"This is a smart signing for the Portland Timbers as they will be getting an electric, versatile attacking player who is in his prime and has played in the top divisions of Portugal, France and Switzerland," remarked SSM's President and Players' Agent Justin B. Stone. "There is a reason that clubs have paid Millions of Euros for Ishmael's services. I expect Ishmael to thrive in Caleb Porter's system and that he will transition well to the Timbers with the support of the coaching staff, organization, the community and the Timbers Army."

Through its European contacts, SSM was made aware of Yartey's availability in early February. Given most of Europe's transfer windows were closed, it left North America and MLS as one of the premier available destinations for Yartey. The Portland Timbers alerted Agent Justin Stone that the club was in the market for a speedy, left footed winger who could also play as a Striker.  After securing the necessary paperwork, Agent Justin Stone proposed Yartey to the Timbers and formal discussions started a few days later and would take weeks to finalize.  

SSM would like to thank Portland Timbers' General Manager Gavin Wilkinson, Head Coach Caleb Porter, Major League Soccer, FC Sion and Fofana Mohamed for their tireless work in making this loan happen.  Agent Justin Stone will travel to Portland to welcome Yartey in Portland once he obtains his P1 Visa and will assist in his transition to Major League Soccer. Click HERE to see the Timbers' upcoming schedule and enjoy Ishmael Yartey's Highlights below. 

You may contact Justin B. Stone by phone at +001 202 712 9104 or email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for more information. 

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About Stone Sports Management, LLC

From developmental to Designated Players, Stone Sports Management, LLC is a Washington, DC based boutique agency representing football/soccer players domestically and internationally.  Stone Sports Management takes a cooperative approach to athlete representation in order to provide the most opportunity for its clients.  Since its 2008 inception, Stone Sports Management has represented a versatile client portfolio having negotiated contracts for its clients based in Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Germany, India, Israel, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United States.  Follow Stone Sports Management on Twitter @StoneSportsMgmt