Chicago will also receive an undisclosed portion of any future transfer fee paid for the player. Colombian club Envigado, where Duran started his career, will also receive a portion of the transfer proceeds.

At 19 years old, Duran has attracted the interest of an array of top European clubs including Benfica, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

Duran is currently in Colombia where he is preparing to represent his nation at the 2023 South American under-20 Championship.

The deal is still pending the player’s agreement to personal terms with Aston Villa as well as a medical and the acquisition of a valid work permit for the UK.

Upon the completion of the deal, Duran’s transfer will be the third highest in MLS history. Newcastle United paid $26 million for Miguel Almiron in 2019, while Bayern Munich forked out $22 million for Alphonso Davies during the same transfer window.

The post Aston Villa Signs Jhon Duran From Chicago Fire appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news was confirmed by Fire in a social media announcement on Friday, alongside a reveal that the team will have a DP spot open for 2023. The club also revealed that Gimenez will soon receive his U.S. Green Card and won’t occupy an international roster spot anymore.

“Gaston is a talented player who is very important to the club,” said Chicago sporting director Georg Heitz in a statement. “His decision to restructure his contract to provide the team with more roster flexibility speaks volumes about his character and desire to win titles with the Fire.”

Gaston Gimenez spent his entire career in Argentina before joining Fire in 2020. He made a combined 65 appearances since then, contributing with two goals and six assists. The 31-year-old is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

With a DP spot in their hands, Chicago Fire is expected to pursue a big-time star for Europe to help them return to the playoffs. Fire currently has Xherdan Shaqiri and Jairo Torres on DP deals.

The post Chicago Fire Open a DP Spot in 2023 after Giving Gaston Gimenez a New Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

As part of the transfer agreement, Slonina will remain with Fire on loan for the remainder of the current MLS season before joining his new club in January. Chicago will also retain the rights for a cut of profits in case Chelsea sells Slonina.

While Fire fell short of revealing the transfer fee and just said the figure is a club record, reports indicate that the London club will pay $10 million upfront for Slonina. The number could reportedly reach $15 million with add-ons.

Gabriel Slonina is considered one of the jewels of Fire’s youth academy. He made his MLS debut midway through the 2021 season at the age of 17 years and 81 days, becoming the youngest goalie to take the field in league history. Slonina was promoted as Fire’s starting goalie less than two months later and never looked back. The Addison, Illinois, native has a total of 33 MLS appearances and has kept his goal intact 14 times.

“I joined this Club with ambitions of playing at the highest level, and it’s been a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey,” said Slonina in a club-released statement. “This Club has become my second home, my second family, and there are so many people that have played a big role in helping me get to where I am today.”

The post Chelsea Completes the Deal for Chicago Fire’s Goalie Gabriel Slonina appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The team also named assistant Frank Klopas as an interim head coach while stating that the search for a new head coach “is now underway.” Klopas will have his first game at the helm against Toronto FC on Sunday.

Fire hired Wicky ahead of the 2020 MLS season, hoping he could orchestrate a return to playoffs after the team failed to qualify for the postseason in two consecutive years. But things didn’t go according to plan, as the Swiss coach was nowhere near completing this goal.

Wicky leaves the Fire after 52 games in which he has overseen just 12 wins and 26 defeats.

“I’d like to thank Rapha for his tireless efforts to make us a better Club each day,” Chicago’s sporting director Georg Heitz said in a statement. “We felt this was the right time to notify him that we will not be exercising his 2022 contract option, as we begin to make decisions for next season. Rapha will always be a part of the Fire family, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

The post Raphael Wicky No Longer Head Coach For Chicago Fire appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Gutjahr played eight games with Fire in 2019, contributing with one assist. He hasn’t made an appearance this year, spending Chicago’s first two games of 2020 MLS season on the bench.

The 22-year-old U.S. youth international acknowledged the injury on social media after the news was made public, writing that he’ll be “back soon.”

Jeremiah Gutjahr became a part of the Chicago Fire organization in 2012, joining the club’s academy. Between 2015 and 2018, Gutjahr played college soccer, making 71 appearances for Indiana University Hoosiers. He simultaneously made a dozen appearances for Chicago Fire U-23 during that period.

After delivering some impressive performances on college, Gutjahr secured a one-year deal with Fire in 2019. Earlier this year, the team used the option to extend his contract through 2020.

Gutjahr was also a member of the US U-20 side in 2018, helping the team secure their first U-20 Concacaf Championship.

The post Chicago Fire’s Midfielder Jeremiah Gutjahr Sidelined for 4 Months appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Chicago signed Medran, who is the product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The 25-year-old is signed through 2021 MLS season and has team options on his contract for 2022 and 2023.

“Álvaro is a player who was developed in Real Madrid’s youth system, graduating to play for the first team with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić,” – said Chicago Fire President and General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. “He had offers from other clubs, and we’re proud that he chose the Fire. Alvaro was at the Soldier Field announcement and immediately fell in love with the stadium and our fans. We welcome Álvaro to the Fire Family.”

Medran made two appearances with Real Madrid’s first team between 2014 and 2016, scoring one goal. He also had a loan stint with Getafe during the 2015/2016 La Liga season, playing 20 games and scoring twice.

In 2016, Alvaro Medran signed with Valencia, where he spent the next four years. The majority of his time with the club, however, saw him playing on loans, including stints with Alaves and Rayo Vallecano.  Medran became a free agent following the 2018/19 season after his contract with Valencia expired.

The post Fire Sign Former Real Madrid Midfielder Alvaro Medran appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Schweinsteiger’s retirement was announced after his current club, the Chicago Fire, completed their 2019 season with a 2-5 win at Orlando City. Despite their season-ending victory, the team did not manage to qualify for the 2019 MLS Playoffs.

He played in 30 games for the Fire this season, scoring one goal and recording two assists.

The Kolbermoor, Germany native is best known for his tenure as a central midfielder for Bayern Munich, for whom he debuted in 2002. He played for the Bundesliga giants for a total of thirteen seasons, winning eight league titles as well as the 2013 Champions League.

Schweinsteiger then recorded two seasons with Manchester United before making the move to the MLS in 2017.

He was best perhaps known for his career with the German National Team, for whom he played a grand total of 121 games. The player with the fourth-most caps in the history of Die Mannschaft, he scored a total of 24 goals with the national side and won the 2014 World Cup.

Schweinsteiger is a legend of the sport and will remembered fondly for many years.

The post Legendary German Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger Retires at 35 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Chicago will also receive an undisclosed portion of any future transfer fee paid for the player. Colombian club Envigado, where Duran started his career, will also receive a portion of the transfer proceeds.

At 19 years old, Duran has attracted the interest of an array of top European clubs including Benfica, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

Duran is currently in Colombia where he is preparing to represent his nation at the 2023 South American under-20 Championship.

The deal is still pending the player’s agreement to personal terms with Aston Villa as well as a medical and the acquisition of a valid work permit for the UK.

Upon the completion of the deal, Duran’s transfer will be the third highest in MLS history. Newcastle United paid $26 million for Miguel Almiron in 2019, while Bayern Munich forked out $22 million for Alphonso Davies during the same transfer window.

The post Aston Villa Signs Jhon Duran From Chicago Fire appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The news was confirmed by Fire in a social media announcement on Friday, alongside a reveal that the team will have a DP spot open for 2023. The club also revealed that Gimenez will soon receive his U.S. Green Card and won’t occupy an international roster spot anymore.

“Gaston is a talented player who is very important to the club,” said Chicago sporting director Georg Heitz in a statement. “His decision to restructure his contract to provide the team with more roster flexibility speaks volumes about his character and desire to win titles with the Fire.”

Gaston Gimenez spent his entire career in Argentina before joining Fire in 2020. He made a combined 65 appearances since then, contributing with two goals and six assists. The 31-year-old is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

With a DP spot in their hands, Chicago Fire is expected to pursue a big-time star for Europe to help them return to the playoffs. Fire currently has Xherdan Shaqiri and Jairo Torres on DP deals.

The post Chicago Fire Open a DP Spot in 2023 after Giving Gaston Gimenez a New Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

As part of the transfer agreement, Slonina will remain with Fire on loan for the remainder of the current MLS season before joining his new club in January. Chicago will also retain the rights for a cut of profits in case Chelsea sells Slonina.

While Fire fell short of revealing the transfer fee and just said the figure is a club record, reports indicate that the London club will pay $10 million upfront for Slonina. The number could reportedly reach $15 million with add-ons.

Gabriel Slonina is considered one of the jewels of Fire’s youth academy. He made his MLS debut midway through the 2021 season at the age of 17 years and 81 days, becoming the youngest goalie to take the field in league history. Slonina was promoted as Fire’s starting goalie less than two months later and never looked back. The Addison, Illinois, native has a total of 33 MLS appearances and has kept his goal intact 14 times.

“I joined this Club with ambitions of playing at the highest level, and it’s been a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey,” said Slonina in a club-released statement. “This Club has become my second home, my second family, and there are so many people that have played a big role in helping me get to where I am today.”

The post Chelsea Completes the Deal for Chicago Fire’s Goalie Gabriel Slonina appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The team also named assistant Frank Klopas as an interim head coach while stating that the search for a new head coach “is now underway.” Klopas will have his first game at the helm against Toronto FC on Sunday.

Fire hired Wicky ahead of the 2020 MLS season, hoping he could orchestrate a return to playoffs after the team failed to qualify for the postseason in two consecutive years. But things didn’t go according to plan, as the Swiss coach was nowhere near completing this goal.

Wicky leaves the Fire after 52 games in which he has overseen just 12 wins and 26 defeats.

“I’d like to thank Rapha for his tireless efforts to make us a better Club each day,” Chicago’s sporting director Georg Heitz said in a statement. “We felt this was the right time to notify him that we will not be exercising his 2022 contract option, as we begin to make decisions for next season. Rapha will always be a part of the Fire family, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

The post Raphael Wicky No Longer Head Coach For Chicago Fire appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Gutjahr played eight games with Fire in 2019, contributing with one assist. He hasn’t made an appearance this year, spending Chicago’s first two games of 2020 MLS season on the bench.

The 22-year-old U.S. youth international acknowledged the injury on social media after the news was made public, writing that he’ll be “back soon.”

Jeremiah Gutjahr became a part of the Chicago Fire organization in 2012, joining the club’s academy. Between 2015 and 2018, Gutjahr played college soccer, making 71 appearances for Indiana University Hoosiers. He simultaneously made a dozen appearances for Chicago Fire U-23 during that period.

After delivering some impressive performances on college, Gutjahr secured a one-year deal with Fire in 2019. Earlier this year, the team used the option to extend his contract through 2020.

Gutjahr was also a member of the US U-20 side in 2018, helping the team secure their first U-20 Concacaf Championship.

The post Chicago Fire’s Midfielder Jeremiah Gutjahr Sidelined for 4 Months appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Chicago signed Medran, who is the product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The 25-year-old is signed through 2021 MLS season and has team options on his contract for 2022 and 2023.

“Álvaro is a player who was developed in Real Madrid’s youth system, graduating to play for the first team with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić,” – said Chicago Fire President and General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. “He had offers from other clubs, and we’re proud that he chose the Fire. Alvaro was at the Soldier Field announcement and immediately fell in love with the stadium and our fans. We welcome Álvaro to the Fire Family.”

Medran made two appearances with Real Madrid’s first team between 2014 and 2016, scoring one goal. He also had a loan stint with Getafe during the 2015/2016 La Liga season, playing 20 games and scoring twice.

In 2016, Alvaro Medran signed with Valencia, where he spent the next four years. The majority of his time with the club, however, saw him playing on loans, including stints with Alaves and Rayo Vallecano.  Medran became a free agent following the 2018/19 season after his contract with Valencia expired.

The post Fire Sign Former Real Madrid Midfielder Alvaro Medran appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Schweinsteiger’s retirement was announced after his current club, the Chicago Fire, completed their 2019 season with a 2-5 win at Orlando City. Despite their season-ending victory, the team did not manage to qualify for the 2019 MLS Playoffs.

He played in 30 games for the Fire this season, scoring one goal and recording two assists.

The Kolbermoor, Germany native is best known for his tenure as a central midfielder for Bayern Munich, for whom he debuted in 2002. He played for the Bundesliga giants for a total of thirteen seasons, winning eight league titles as well as the 2013 Champions League.

Schweinsteiger then recorded two seasons with Manchester United before making the move to the MLS in 2017.

He was best perhaps known for his career with the German National Team, for whom he played a grand total of 121 games. The player with the fourth-most caps in the history of Die Mannschaft, he scored a total of 24 goals with the national side and won the 2014 World Cup.

Schweinsteiger is a legend of the sport and will remembered fondly for many years.

The post Legendary German Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger Retires at 35 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.