MLS 2022: at the age of 30, Xherdan Shaqiri arrives at Chicago Fire FC

At the age of 30, Xherdan Shaqiri has joined Chicago Fire FC of the MLS 2022, from Olympique Lyonnais, as a Designated Player for the club, which has just completed the most expensive signing in its history. 

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Who is Xherdan Shaqiri, the reinforcement that could arrive at Chicago Fire?

The Swiss midfielder and so-called "Messi of the Alps" is a true monster of the European leagues, who comes to strengthen the midfield of the Red Machine, which finished 12th in the Eastern Conference. 

How much did Xherdan Shaqiri's arrival at Chicago Fire FC cost?

The player has become the most expensive signing in the club's history, as the Red Machine paid 7.5 million euros, to be with the club until the 2024 season.

The player is awaiting his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per club and MLS policy, additional terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

With this addition, the club will be looking for more solidity in defense, but also more options and depth in attack, which will help them improve their numbers from last season. 

In the campaign that ended in 2021, the Fire scored 36 goals and conceded 54, making it evident that the midfield was the team's weak point.

Chicago Fire FC sporting director Georg Heitz said of the arrival of the "Messi of the Alps." 

"We are very pleased to formally welcome Xherdan Shaqiri to the Fire."

Heitz also stated, "Xherdan is a game-changing player and someone who will bring joy to our fans 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 intend to achieve. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to Chicago very soon." 

Shaqiri began his career at FC Basel, where Heitz was sporting director between 2009 and 2017, so the manager had already taken notice of the player's talent.

Xherdan Shaqiri's numbers that seduced Chicago Fire FC

In his 3 seasons with Basel, Shaqiri was an important part of leading the team to three consecutive league championships, including the "double" in the 2011-12 campaign, and totaled 23 goals and 27 assists in 130 games before moving to Bayern Munich. 

At Bayern, his hunger for goals and silverware continued unabated and he helped the club win its first-ever treble, winning the UEFA Champions League, the German Bundesliga, and the German Cup.

During his time at the Bavarian club, he won eight major trophies in three seasons with Bayern.

He would later migrate to Inter Milan (2014-15) and Stoke City (2016-18), before joining Liverpool ahead of the 2018-19 English Premier League campaign.

In that stint, Shaqiri helped Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League and a UEFA Super Cup title, among many more trophies.

The player has also been an international with the Swiss national soccer team, scoring 26 times in 100 appearances for the Swiss national team, and has led his team to nine FIFA World Cup appearances. 

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