Chicago Fire FC have completed the signing of Polish striker Kacper Przybylko from the Philadelphia Union.
The Union have received $1.15m in General Allocation Money (GAM) for the 28-year-old's services; $575k paid upfront and the same amount again in 2023.
Sources tell 90min the Fire have inherited Przybylko's existing contract with the Union which runs through 2023. The club are now working on a new deal that will see him remain a TAM (Targeted Allocation Money) player.
Przybylko had previously expressed an interest in moving to Chicago, telling Polish media earlier in the week that Chicago were willing to offer him more contractual guarantees than the Union.
“We’re very pleased to add a player of Kacper’s caliber to our roster,” Chicago Fire sporting director Georg Heitz said in a release. “Going into the offseason, we wanted to sign a top attacking player with MLS experience and Kacper has been one of the most effective goal-scorers in this league over the last three seasons. With his physical attributes and knack for scoring goals, we believe that he will be a great addition as we continue to build a talented roster for 2022 and beyond. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to the club.”
Przybylko joined the Union from German side FC Kaiserslautern in late 2018, going on to register 40 goals and 14 assists in 96 appearances for the club across all competitions and helping them win the 2020 Supporters' Shield.
Since his debut in 2019, Przybylko has hit 34 goals in MLS regular-season play, leaving him behind only Atlanta United's Josef Martinez (38) and Seattle Sounders' Raul Ruidiaz (37) during that time.
Przybyłko acquired. ? #cf97
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) January 22, 2022
“We want to thank Kacper for his efforts on and off the field with the Philadelphia Union,” Philadelphia sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a release. “He has played a major role in some of the Union’s most memorable moments over the last few years and we wish him all the best as we continue to look to strengthen and add depth to our roster in the coming weeks.”
Przybylko's arrival marks a considerable strengthening of the Fire's attacking options after they allowed former DP striker Robert Beric depart at the end of last season.
This article was originally published on 90min as Chicago Fire complete transfer of Kacper Przybylko from Philadelphia Union.
Source: www.90min.com