Chicago Fire has made a blockbuster move on Thursday, acquiring Argentina international winger Nicolas Gaitan from Chinese club Dalian Yifang. According to MLS Soccer’s Sam Stejskal, Fire will close the deal for Gaitan using Discretionary Targeted Allocation Money.
The deal was confirmed by Dalian Yifang, who issued a statement in which they thanked Gaitan for his contributions to the team.
“From the perspective of the overall planning of the club and its long-term development, after agreeing with the player, Nicolas Gaitan joins Chicago Fire,” – said the club in a statement. “The club would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Gaitan for his contribution to the team — and wish him all the best in the future.”
Nicolas Gaitan joined Dalian exactly one year ago, and went on to play 29 games for the team, contributing with two goals and seven assists. Despite providing some great performances during his time in China, Dalian decided to release the 31-year-old after they reached a limit of having four foreign players on the roster.
Gaitan spent his early career with Boca Juniors, before coming to Europe and signing with Portugal giants Benfica in 2010. After establishing himself as one of the team’s key players, he made a move to La Liga’s Atletico Madrid in 2016, but failed to replicate the same in Spain.
