MONTREAL, Quebec – The Montreal Impact announced Tuesday the acquisition of goalkeeper Troy Perkins from the Portland Timbers, in exchange for goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
Perkins, 31, playing in his seventh MLS season, has appeared in more than 150 MLS career games and has logged 13,477 minutes of regular season play, recording 36 shutouts.
WATCH: Perkins, new Impact GK
Originally from Springfield, Ohio, he played with D.C. United from 2004 to 2007, and then in 2010, before being traded to the Timbers later that year. In 2008, he signed with Norwegian first division club Valerenga, helping the club win its first Norwegian Cup in six years. In 2009, he then started 33 games across all competitions, including two UEFA Cup matches, recording seven clean sheets.
Perkins was named the 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and selected to the MLS Best XI, after registering 15 wins in 2,700 minutes of play, while maintaining a goals-against average of 1,10 per game. That same year, he was also selected to the MLS All-Star team, earning a shutout against Chelsea.
“We are happy to be able to add Troy to our group and we think he will make an immediate impact in what we are trying to achieve,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “We feel this will help us make a strong push at the end of this year, as well as solidify ourselves for the future.”
With the Timbers, the 6’2 and 190 lbs goalkeeper has played a total of 51 games, and was named the 2011 Supporter’s Player of the Year. He recorded 14 wins and 12 shutouts with Portland.
This season, he played 22 games with the Timbers and was nominated for the MLS Save of the Week three times, winning the honour once (Week 12). Perkins also helped the Timbers set a new team record by not allowing a goal in 377 consecutive minutes of regular season play.
After completing his college career at the University of Evansville in 2003, following a transfer from the University of South Florida, Perkins joined D.C. United as an undrafted player.
Internationally, Perkins has played six games with the United States National Team, leading the team to the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, after registering three shutouts during the tournament as a starter.
WATCH: Perkins denies Brek Shea
On the other end, Donovan Ricketts played 24 games with the Impact this season, recording nine wins and three shutouts in 2,136 minutes of play. He was acquired on November 28, 2011, from the LA Galaxy.
“Donovan was a great professional in his time with our team,” added Marsch. “We wish him the best with his new club and thank him for what he has done here.”
“We would like to thank Donovan for his services with the Impact but we did not feel he fit into our plans moving forward,” said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis.
Next game
The Impact will hit the road to face the New England Revolution for the second time this season, this Sunday, at 7pm (ET), at Gillette Stadium, in Foxboro, MA.
The club will then return home to take on the Western Conference leading San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, August 18, at 7:30pm (ET) at Stade Saputo.
Individual tickets for games at Stade Saputo are available via the Admission Network. Three-game partial plans at Stade Saputo are now available, starting at $53, by calling 514-328-3668, via impactmontreal.com. Special family and friend packages, as well as new student rates are also available.
