Kamal Miller has said the main reason behind his January switch from Inter Miami to the Portland Timbers was due to Phil Neville.
The former Herons manager was recently appointed by the Western Conference side, with Neville being dismissed by Inter Miami last season ahead of Lionel Messi’s arrival.
With Miller one of Tata Martino’s most used players last term, the Canadian international being traded to the Timbers came across as a big surprise to many fans and pundits.
Yet speaking to journalist Favian Renkel, the 26-year-old defender has now revealed that a key reason behind his trade to the Timbers was because of Neville, who was a big fan of the centre-back in Florida.
Miller said when asked why he decided to join the Timbers despite being on Inter Miami’s books: “It was mainly the opportunity to reunite with Phil.
“He’s a great coach, someone who puts a lot of faith and a lot of trust in me, and as a player that’s what you’re really looking for when you’re looking for a boss and somewhere to call home and to play your best football.”
Kamal Miller’s Portland Timbers switch could cause problems for Inter Miami
Whilst Inter Miami have done well to replace Miller with the loan signing of Nicolas Freire, there’s no denying that the Canadian international shouldn’t have been allowed to leave.
When fit, the defender was one of Inter Miami’s top performers, with Miller a player who was well-suited to MLS and Martino’s style of play.
And although there is now a replacement in Miller in Freire, the 26-year-old’s move to Portland could cause some problems for Inter Miami heading into the new season with depth in the defence.