Boyd heads Stateside in Portland Timbers deal

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has signed for Major League Soccer side the Portland Timbers, managed by former Rangers player John Spencer.

Boyd, the Scottish Premier League’s all-time leading scorer with 164 goals, will complete his move subject to a medical and work permit.

The 28-year-old international was a free agent having terminated a three-year contract with Turkish club Eskisehirspor last month.

Boyd told his new club’s website: “I’m delighted to be in Portland and hopefully I’ll be over as soon as the visa matches up to be in time to be ready for the season.”

Spencer said: “Kris is a proven goalscorer at the highest levels of the game, and we expect that to continue here in Portland.

“We’ve been looking for this type of traditional number nine player and are very pleased we found him.”

The club’s owner and president Merritt Paulson added: “Kris perfectly fits the profile of the team’s needs and will make a huge impact.

“I’ve said from the beginning that we are committed to winning and will make a significant investment on the player front if it is the right fit for the organisation.”

After ten seasons in the SPL with Kilmarnock and Rangers, Boyd joined Middlesbrough for the 2010-11 season and also had a loan spell with Nottingham Forest, prior to his move to Eskisehirspor.