Xherdan Shaqiri explains why he left France to join Chicago Fire
The former Bayern Munich and Liverpool winger was officially presented with the Major League Soccer side and explained why he joined the Chicago-based team.
Xherdan Shaqiri is eager to make his debut in Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire and he has the potential to become one of the best players in the league. On Monday, the 30-year-old was presented officially as an MLS player and explained why he decided to leave Lyon, a club he joined in 2021.
Shaqiri's desire to leave France
"The league [MLS] is getting better and better," he told a press conference on Monday. "For me, it's a good league. I wanted to go away from France and the opportunity came. George [Heitz], like I said before, we were always in touch and in contact with my brother, who is my agent.
"I was thinking a lot, of course, but George came with a big project and I was really excited,” the Swiss international added. Shaqiri scored two goals and gave three assists in 16 appearances across all competitions in his six month stint with Lyon.
The Swiss winger arrives as a designated player to the Chicago-based team and he is eager to make his debut in the 2022 Major League Soccer regular season. The Fire will start the campaign on the road against Inter Miami on 26 February and Shaqiri could make his debut in the MLS opening day.