Newcastle fans were sad to see Steven Taylor leave after more than a decade at the club.
Steven Taylor's last ever Newcastle game. pic.twitter.com/fkrOYU5W01
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) May 15, 2016
The perennial England prospect (seriously, he has more under-21 caps than 18 members of the Euro 2016 squad have senior caps) never quite lived up to his potential.
And now, following Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, he has gone the way of so many unfulfilled English talents. That’s right, he’s moved to MLS.
Big warm welcome to Steven Taylor. Bags of Prem experience, will bring a lot to our team. Plus it's another English Man wooooo 😂👊🏻🇺🇸⚽️
— Ridgy 6 (@liam_ridgewell) August 1, 2016
Taylor has linked up with Liam Ridgewell in Portland, with the reigning MLS Cup champions moving quickly to cover for the absence of long-term injury victim Nat Borchers.
We’re not sure what convinced the club of Taylor’s abilities, but we’re hoping his career-defining moment against Aston Villa had something to do with it.
Ridgewell was on the pitch for that phenomenal piece of Oscar-worthy acting, so there’s every chance it has stuck with him for a decade.
Steven Taylor moves to Portland @TimbersFC Remember when he auditioned for Hollywood? #nufc #handball pic.twitter.com/EUw0q1mUY8
— BBC Match of the Day mag (@MOTDmag) August 1, 2016
Taylor might not be the only former England under-21 star to move across the pond this summer, as Jamie O’Hara is currently on trial with the San Jose Earthquakes.
