United City bids goodbye to OJ Porteria as Thailand move looms

OJ Porteria is set to join the Thai League 1. PFL (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Fresh from successfully defending the PFL title, United City said goodbye to one of its key players.

The club announced on Monday that striker OJ Porteria is set to move to Thailand and potentially finish his season with a Thai League 1 squad.

"On behalf of UCFC, we would like to thank OJ for his tremendous efforts and commitment to the club. We wish him well with his new club in Thailand," United City said in a statement.

After starting his professional career with Kaya Iloilo, Porteria joined United City, then known as Ceres Negros, in 2017.

He would become a part of the club's offensive firepower during its four-peat run in the newly rechristened PFL.

It is uncertain which club acquired the services of Porteria, but the former DC United youth player will become the latest Filipino footballer--and an Azkal at that--who will take his talents to the Thai League 1, arguably the biggest club competition in Southeast Asia.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_