Joao Ortiz has made a steady climb from Ecuador’s LigaPro to Major League Soccer.
This article breaks down his net worth, his Portland Timbers salary, contract terms, and everything he has earned throughout his career.
Joao Ortiz’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julio Joao Ortiz Landázuri |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1996 |
| Age | 29 |
| Place of Birth | Esmeraldas, Ecuador |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Portland Timbers (MLS) |
| Jersey Number | #80 |
| Turned Professional | 2014 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 million (estimated) |
| Base Salary | $475,000 |
| Guaranteed Compensation | $525,625 |
| Player Agent | TeamEvolution |
Early Life and Career
Joao Ortiz was born on May 1, 1996, in Esmeraldas, a coastal city in northwestern Ecuador.
Growing up in a region not traditionally known for producing top-flight footballers, Ortiz had to work his way through the lower tiers of Ecuadorian youth football to make his mark.
He came through the youth ranks at El Nacional before joining Universidad Católica’s academy.
He made his senior debut with Universidad Católica in 2014, but first-team opportunities were limited. That led to a series of loan moves that defined his early professional years.
Between 2015 and 2018, Ortiz was technically registered to San Antonio FC in Ecuador, spending time on loan at Club Plaza Colonia in Uruguay, Deportivo Quito, Cumbayá FC, and CD Clan Juvenil.
These stints gave him competitive exposure across different environments and sharpened his defensive instincts in midfield.
In 2018, he joined Deportivo Cuenca on loan before making the move permanent in 2019.
Those two seasons at Cuenca gave him consistent first-team football in Ecuador’s top division and prepared him for the next step in his career.
Professional Career
Ortiz’s real breakthrough came when he joined Delfín SC in 2020.
Over two seasons, he developed into a reliable defensive midfielder, earning recognition for his work rate and ability to break up play in the middle of the park.
He made his senior debut as a starter in Ecuador’s 3-0 win over Mexico on October 28, 2021, and featured five times in Ecuador’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, including a 90-minute performance in a 2-1 win over Bolivia.
He was also part of Ecuador’s 2024 Copa América squad.
On January 15, 2025, the Portland Timbers acquired Ortiz from Independiente del Valle, signing him through December 2027 with a club option for 2028.
He made his MLS debut on February 23, 2025, in a home opener against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Joao Ortiz’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Joao Ortiz’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
He built this through professional football contracts across Ecuador, including stints with Delfín SC, LDU Quito, and Independiente del Valle, and now his MLS deal with the Portland Timbers. At 29 years old and on a solid MLS contract, his financial position is stable and continues to grow.
Contract
Ortiz joined the Portland Timbers on January 15, 2025, from Independiente del Valle for a reported fee of around $1.5 million.
His contract runs through December 2027, with a club option for an additional year through December 2028.
The Timbers exercised their roster options to retain him for the 2026 MLS season.
Salary
The guaranteed compensation figure includes his base salary plus signing bonuses annualized over the contract term.
At $475,000 annually, Ortiz earns above the MLS median but sits in the middle tier of the Portland Timbers’ wage structure, where players like Kristoffer Velde ($2.28 million) and David Da Costa ($2.7 million) are the highest earners.
His 2026 salary has not been independently published as of the writing of this article, but his contract structure through December 2027 means he remains under the same deal.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Annual Salary (Verified/Reported) |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–2018 | Universidad Católica / San Antonio FC / Loans | N/A |
| 2019 | Deportivo Cuenca | N/A |
| 2020–2021 | Delfín SC | N/A |
| 2022 | LDU Quito (Transfer: ~€400k) | N/A |
| 2022–2024 | Independiente del Valle (Transfer: ~€450k) | N/A |
| 2025 | Portland Timbers | $475,000 base / $525,625 guaranteed |
| 2026 | Portland Timbers | ~$475,000+ (contract ongoing) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Universidad Católica | LigaPro | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Deportivo Cuenca | LigaPro | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Delfín SC | LigaPro | 25 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | Delfín SC | LigaPro | 30 | 1 | 4 |
| 2022 | LDU Quito | LigaPro | — | — | — |
| 2022–2024 | Independiente del Valle | LigaPro / Copa Lib. / Copa Sud. | 103 | 5 | 6 |
| 2025 | Portland Timbers | MLS | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | Portland Timbers | MLS | 3+ | 0 | 2 |
| Total (Senior) | 229+ | 8+ | 15+ |
FAQs
What is Joao Ortiz’s net worth?
Joao Ortiz’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million. He earned this through his professional contracts in Ecuador and his current MLS deal with the Portland Timbers.
How much does Joao Ortiz earn at Portland Timbers?
His base salary at Portland Timbers was $475,000 in 2025, with a guaranteed compensation of $525,625, according to the MLSPA’s official salary guide.
When did Joao Ortiz join Portland Timbers?
He joined the Portland Timbers on January 15, 2025, transferring from Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle for a reported fee of around $1.5 million.
How many caps has Joao Ortiz earned for Ecuador?
He has earned nine caps for the Ecuadorian senior national team, including five appearances in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and a spot in Ecuador’s 2024 Copa América squad.
How long is Joao Ortiz’s contract with Portland Timbers?
His contract runs through December 2027, with a club option that could extend it through December 2028.
