Newly-promoted American top-flight side Portland Timbers have handed a professional contract to former Ghana U21 midfielder Kalif Alhassan.

The MLS side handed the Ghanaian the two-year deal ahead of the start of the new season in the fast-growing league.

Alhassan played for Portland in the USSF Division-2 Pro League team in the 2010 season and helped them to secure promotion.

The Portland Timbers signed four players from last season Wednesday as they make their jump to Major League Soccer next season.

Timbers coach John Spencer says Alhassan has the skills to make an impact at the next level.

Alhassan, a native of Ghana, had two goals in eight matches last season with the Timbers.

Alhassan began his career with Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals in 2007, helping the club to the semifinals of the 2009 WAFU Club Championship.

In 2010, Alhassan signed with second division American club Portland Timbers of the USSF Division-2 Professional League in hopes of staying with the club for 2011 when they move to Major League Soccer, the top tier of the United States soccer pyramid.

In his first start for the Timbers, Alhassan scored in second-half stoppage time to give Portland a 1–0 victory over Puerto Rico Islanders.

Alhassan began his international career in 2007 with the Ghana U-17 national team.

He debuted with the Ghana U-20 national team in 2008 although he did not make the squad for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, won by Ghana.

Alhassan was also called into a camp with the senior Ghana national team for the 2009 African Nations Championship, again missing out on the final squad.