The work done at the Osasuna academy, Tajonar, continues to gain recognition from around the world as it partners with Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers. The team from the northwest United States sent two academy players, midfielder Aldolfo Enríquez and goalkeeper Hunter Sulte, for a two-week training camp with the club's División de Honor (U-19 team) and C.D. Subiza, the rojillo second affiliate. During their time in Navarre, the Timbers' players will do immersive work with the rojillo quarry and learn from 'Método Tajonar.'

"People are noticing the work we are doing at our academy. The main reason for that is the great number of homegrown players we have in the first team," Tajonar technical director Patxi Puñal says. "As our first team continues to sign homegrown players, people in other countries are seeing the work we are doing here, which calls their attention. It is encouraging to see teams from everywhere asking if they can send their players to train with us."

Since its inception, Osasuna has always focused on developing young talent. This deep-rooted commitment to homegrown players was one of the reasons the club saw the academy as one of the first areas to rebuild after going through one of its worst crises in 2014. The first step towards this was implementing the 'Tajonar 2017' project. The goal of this project was to give stability to Tajonar and lay the foundations of what would later become 'Método Tajonar,' a homemade curriculum that, beyond focusing on sports, focuses on the personal needs of each player. Each youth team has three coaches, a tactical coach, and two coaches who work with each player individually.

Despite the short time these projects have been in place, they are already bearing fruit, as the youth academy currently has more than 20,000 players at its disposal throughout Navarre in its more than 150 affiliated clubs. In addition, since the 2018/19 season, 21 players from their affiliate have debuted with the first team, seven of which are fundamental pieces of the first team today. Tajonar's hard work has even led two players to win Olympic medals: Jon Moncayola, silver medalist in Tokyo 2020, and Aimar Oroz, Olympic champion in Paris 2024.

"We are grateful to Osasuna for their openness to work with us and allow a couple of our young players to extend their training deeper into the year and continue a small part of their development in a top-level environment," Portland Timbers technical director Jack Dodd remarks. "We wanted to find a club where they would be tested and exposed to an environment outside their comfort zone while knowing they're being cared for, supported, and trained at a high level in a foreign country. Osasuna has provided all of that, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future. A special thank you to Nacho Leblic, our Director of Scouting, who previously worked in Osasuna and facilitated the connection, which we hope will last long term."

The Timbers youth players' work plan in Tajonar involves immersing them in the dynamics of the División de Honor and Subiza teams. Tajonar's technical management wants these players to join one of the teams to have a complete experience and take tools that will help them in the future.

"The idea is for Adolfo and Hunter to participate in the dynamics of our second affiliate so that they can see another team, structure, ball speed, another rhythm in the players and live the full experience," Puñal adds. "Adolfo is training with our División de Honor, in which there are 16, 17, and 18-year-old players, while Hunter is with Subiza, which participates in the Segunda RFEF (the fourth tier of Spanish football)."

Víctor Adolfo Enríquez Velázquez (April 16, 2006; Portland, Oregon) comes to Navarre after making his first team debut under English coach Phil Neville. Enriquez received his first call-up with his hometown team to face F.C. Dallas on July 5 of this year, but it wasn't until three days later that he finally got minutes with the Timbers, coming on as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Nashville S.C. The Portland native is a regular with the Timbers2, with whom he has made 48 appearances in the MLS Next Pro and one in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

"It's very nice to come to Spain with a team like Osasuna," says the 18-year-old. "I'm sure this experience will help me get minutes in MLS, and it's a great opportunity to show my talent here."

Hunter Sulte (April 25, 2022; Anchorage, Alaska) spent the last season on loan with Indy Eleven of the USL Championship, the second division in the United States. During his time with "The Boys in Blue," Sulte earned a starting role, leading the team to the postseason. He also helped the Indianapolis team reach the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals for the first time, eliminating MLS team Atlanta United in the quarterfinals.

The young goalkeeper made his Timbers debut on May 21, 2021, against F. C. Dallas and is the second-youngest goalkeeper to play in a Major League Soccer match. In his debut season, the goalkeeper was called up by the first team to face Club America in the quarterfinals of the then-Concacaf Champions League.

"It's been a great experience. The guys here have been super welcoming. Their English is very good, so that's been a great benefit. I have enjoyed the training sessions and being with my teammates," the Alaska native mentions. "The level here is good. They also play fast here, so it is a good comparison to the MLS, which will help me jump to the MLS."

This training camp is beneficial not only for Enrique and Sulte but also for the rojillo youth academy. These young players' level has been key in their adaptation, allowing them to assimilate into this new context and share it with their teammates.

"They are players in the last stages of their formation and are showing good skills and knowledge about the game, which speaks volumes of the great work Portland Timbers is doing," Tajonar head of methodology Gorka Chocarro highlights. "These players have already made their MLS debut, and it is evident as soon as you see them."