- Follow us
-
-
-
-
-
-
World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger is leaving Manchester United to join Chicago Fire. The Chicago Fire have been in talks with Schweinsteiger since November, and he signed a $4.5 million contract with the team today, per the Chicago Tribune.
Former United manager Louis van Gaal signed the German for around £14.5m from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2015.
The German midfielder has had few opportunities to play since Jose Mourinho became the United manager last summer. Schweinsteiger’s first start in a year was in the FA Cup against Wigan Athletic in January. He has only played four games this season in all competitions.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always sought opportunities where I hoped to make a positive impact and to help make something great,” Schweinsteiger said in a statement the Fire provided to the Tribune.
“My move to Chicago Fire is no different. Through my conversations with Nelson and [coach Veljko Paunovic], I’m convinced by the club’s vision and philosophy and I want to help them with this project.”
Bastian left a message for United fans, watch it here:
Three years ago, Bastian Schweinsteiger was on top of the soccer world. He was starting for the best club and national teams in the world, winning the Champions League for Bayern Munich in 2013 and the World Cup for Germany in 2014.
The do-it-all midfielder won eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern and seven DFB-Pokals, and he left his lifelong club to ride off into the sunset with Manchester United in 2015.
However, the move didn’t work out for either side, and after 35 appearances and two goals over two years, the aging German is headed to the Midwest to cash out. He and the club can mutually agree to extend that contract for another season if they wish. Schweinsteiger will become one of the highest-paid players in MLS, and one of the best players ever for Chicago, who have been bad for a while.
“We’re adding someone who has won at every level, including the very highest levels, and has done so in a way that is consistent with our values,” Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez told the Tribune.
Bastian could join up with the Fire as early as next week, pending only a visa and a medical.
The Fire have finished with the lowest point total in MLS the past two seasons and have only played in one playoff game since reaching the conference finals in 2009.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports News on India.com.
