Portland Timbers swoop for Kris Boyd

Former Rangers and Middlesbrough forward Kris Boyd has joined MLS outfit Portland Timbers.

The 28-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Turkish outfit Eskisehirspor in December after only five months with the club.

"Kris is a proven goal-scorer at the highest levels of the game, and we expect that to continue here in Portland," said Timbers head coach John Spencer, who is a former Rangers and Scotland forward himself.

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

Boyd is the Scottish Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer with 164 goals but struggled in England after Middlesbrough came calling in 2010.

"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," Boyd said.

He has also made 18 appearances at international level, scoring seven goals.