New Portland Timbers signing Jose Adolfo Valencia faces a year out with knee injury.

The Colombian forward will have knee surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee, the team announced Friday.

"There was a small issue. Upon further investigation, (we felt) that the small issue could become a big issue," Timbers soccer chief Gavin Wilkinson told oregonlive.com.

"It's better to treat it now. It's better to remove the issue to see if we can get the player to make a full recovery.

"We still think this player could be something special.

"He's only 20. I think with this type of surgery, his age and the health of that particular area of his body looks very good other than this injury."