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The Portland Timbers named Ned Grabavoy as their general manager on Wednesday.

Grabavoy, 39, played 13 seasons in Major League Soccer, including his final season in 2016 with Portland. The former midfielder served as the Timbers’ director of scouting and recruitment from 2017-18 and spent the past four seasons as the team’s technical director.

“I feel fortunate to have been a part of this incredible organization for eight years now,” Grabavoy said. “I would like to thank (Timbers owner) Merritt Paulson for his continued belief and support in me personally.

“I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue working with (head coach) Gio Savarese, the assistant coaches, and all of the incredible individuals that help make up our support staff here with the Portland Timbers. I believe our collective efforts will lead us to achieving success together.”

Savarese repaid the compliment toward Grabavoy.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ned for many years now. He has been working towards this moment and I believe he is deserving of this promotion,” Savarese said. “Ned has my full support, as well of the entire technical staff, as we enter a new phase in the club. I look forward to accomplishing great things together.”

Grabavoy effectively replaces Gavin Wilkinson, the Timbers’ former president of soccer. He was fired on Oct. 5, two days after the U.S. Soccer Federation revealed details of a year-long investigation into alleged misconduct and abuses across the National Women’s Soccer League.

–Field Level Media