NASN has confirmed Portland Timbers’ acquisition of Canadian midfielder Will Johnson from Real Salt Lake. The 25-year old (who will be 26 on January 21) played over 100 times for Salt Lake since 2008 including 23 games in 2012. A regular starter for Canada, Johnson has won 31 caps. Portland parted with an unreported amount of allocation money.

With Salt Lake blowing up its team, Johnson is just one of several key members to be moved at the front end of the open trade period. As an attacking midfielder, he is perhaps the first step in the reshaping of the Timbers’ midfield. Whether this trade ushers in a much larger reconstruction of the middle of the field is as yet unknown. But the the procurement of Johnson is certainly a move that will command attention, not least because of his $243,750 price tag, according to the October 1, 2012 players union listing.