Former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has signed for Chicago Fire and will leave Manchester United to join the North American Championship (MLS), the English club said on Tuesday, confirming information from the Chicago Tribune.
“I’m sad to leave so many friends at Manchester United. But I’m grateful to the club for allowing me the opportunity to try my luck at Chicago Fire,” Schweinsteiger said on the Manchester United website.
“I have enjoyed working with the manager, the players and staff here and wish them all the best in the future. I was delighted to be part of the squad that won the FA Cup for them last season and will always remember their energy and their passion. Now the time has come for me to start a new chapter in Chicago and I look forward to it,” Schweinsteiger added.
Schweinsteiger played his entire career at Bayern Munich (victory in the 2013 Champions League and eight German championship titles) before joining Manchester United in 2015. But he is no longer used by his manager Jose Mourinho.
For its part, the English club contented itself with a line of thanks, without any comment from their current manager Jose Mourinho. “Everyone in United wishes good luck to Bastian in his new career in the United States,” writes the club on its website.
Currently the 32 years old, is awaiting a visa and is expected to travel to the US next week to take the medical check and sign his contract, says the Chicago Tribune on his website.
“We add to the squad someone who has won at all levels, including the highest, and who has done it in accordance with our values,” Nelson Rodriguez told media.
According to the Chicago Tribune, which cites an unidentified source to the club, Schweinsteiger’s contract at the Fire would be for one year with a salary of $ 4.5 million, one of the highest in the MLS.
While Chicago head coach Veljko Paunovic told the newspaper that he approached the German for the first time at a meal last year in Manchester.
Chicago Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic successfully approached the Germany in last year. (Source:www.dailyherald.com)
The Chicago Fire started the season well by taking 4 points on the first two days before suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat at Atlanta last weekend. The club won only the MLS championship in 1998 edition and missed the playoffs in the past four seasons.
