Jose Adolfo Valencia saga finally resolved

The delay in announcing the full details explaining Trencito's absence from practice was due, in part, to the renegotiation of the terms of his transfer from Independiente Santa Fe. The details of the new deal, or the old deal, aren't released because MLS fans are kept in the dark about contract terms until some point later on in the season.

We know that the deal has been changed to temporary loan, with an obligation to complete the original deal when he is healthy again. He won't be a DP this year, and won't occupy a roster or international spot. This allows the team to sign a player in his place this year (hello Sebastian Rincon, I noticed you joined practice after Valencia's injury was discovered).

Valencia damaged the cartilage in his left knee. The surgery to repair it will be executed by the Timbers Director of Medicine, and his recovery will take 6-12 months. I'd assume we will have a more narrow timeline after the surgery, but he won't be getting any first team minutes this year. I going to go out on a limb and guess that with no complications we will see him on the pitch with the reserve team by the end of the year, depending on that schedule. He is a young man who should be motivated to work hard at his recovery. In the meanwhile, he will be soaking in the philosophy of the club, learning our system and developing relationships with is teammates. All those things will make him that much more valuable in 2013.

Update: Gavin Wilkinson talks about the Valencia surgery in this awesome interview.

I love twitter, and I love the owner of this team. Here is a pared down progression of his Valencia related tweets starting Thursday morning. (I have removed the names of other users.) Take it away @MerrittPaulson:

Thursday

10:24am Valencia situation detail should be made public tomorrow or fri latest. tough news for short term but better news for long term #rctid
4:11pm ... he will stay w portland
5:47pm ... announcement is ready. Once league approves it will be out
Friday
10:32am Day we found out about valencia's knee was tough one. But we will win games no matter obstacles and player is very much part of our future
10:33am He's young. We expect a 100% recovery. One of 3 best surgeons for this type of rare injury is local.
@TaylorTwellman is it microfracture surgery?
10:34am no
10:36am Last one from me: hopefully its now clear why we had delay in getting word out. Lots to work through when player fails contingent test
10:47am ... I lied..1 more. Original trencito deal was a purchase. That won't kick in until he is healthy. For now we retain his rights and rehab him
10:56am ... will stay here...better facilities and treatment. Can learn english and get to know teammates. Other colombians will help a ton.
11:25am ... "Loan" is purely a technicality until we opt to kick in purchase when/if he's fully recovered
11:27am ...  if our drs and their drs conclude he is 100% recovered then we are obligated to move forward. we are confident

Official Press Release:

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers today announced that forward Jose Adolfo Valencia will undergo surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee. Valencia is expected to miss 6-12 months.

A recent MRI showed damaged cartilage to the surface of the femur in Valencia’s knee. The surgery will be performed by Timbers Director of Medicine Dr. Jonathan E. Greenleaf at Sports Medicine Oregon on Monday.

While it is uncertain when Valencia, 20, sustained the injury, the Timbers and Valencia’s former club, Colombian first-division side Independiente Santa Fe, have agreed to amended terms of the original loan agreement. Valencia’s designation as a Young Designated Player was contingent upon the terms of the original loan agreement. The new loan agreement terms do not require him to count as a Young Designated Player this season. Valencia will remain with the Timbers on their Disabled List while rehabilitating from surgery and therefore not occupy a spot on the team’s roster nor count as one of the team’s international players.

“Our No. 1 priority is ensuring the long-term physical health of Jose,” said Gavin Wilkinson, general manager of the Timbers. “We are pleased to have worked with his former club in Colombia on amended terms of his transfer, considering the circumstances. We are very committed to Jose as a person and as a player, and intend to return to the original terms of his transfer agreement when he returns to full health following rehabilitation.”
Valencia, who was originally acquired from Independiente Santa Fe on Dec. 15, 2011, will conduct his rehabilitation with the team in Portland.

“We feel strongly about our long-term commitment to Jose and see him as a big part of the future success of this team,” Wilkinson said.