MLS
Xherdan Shaqiri joins Chicago Fire on a club-record fee
The attacking midfielder from Switzerland will arrive as a designated player and he becomes the most expensive transfer signing in club history.
Chicago Fire FC and Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon have reached an agreement for attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who will continue his playing career in Major League Soccer. The 30-year-old became the clubs most expensive transfer signing and his contract with the Fire will run through the end of the 2024 MLS season.
Club-record fee
According to multiple reports, Chicago paid Lyon $7.5 million to sign Shaqiri - he will become a designated player for the upcoming 2022 Major League Soccer regular season. The attacking midfielder has scored two goals and provided three assists in 16 appearances across all competitions with the Ligue 1 side this season.
“We’re extremely pleased to formally welcome Xherdan Shaqiri to the Fire,” sporting director Georg Heitz said in a release. “Xherdan is a game-changing player and someone who will bring joy to our supporters and the city of Chicago.
“As one of the most accomplished Swiss athletes of his generation, Xherdan joins us at a very important time for the club and fully believes in what we are aiming to accomplish. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to Chicago very soon.”
The Chicago Fire FC are trying to bounce back after failing to reach the MLS Cup playoffs for four seasons in a row. The owners are trying to start a new era and Shaqiri will be the player leading this new project.