Chicago Fire close to signing Xherdan Shaqiri

Chicago Fire are close to signing Lyon and Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, sources have confirmed to 90min following earlier news reports.

The deal would see Shaqiri, formerly of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, make the switch to MLS ahead of the upcoming 2022 season.

Tom Bogert of MLSsoccer.com first broke the news on Friday, with 90min sources able to verify the news. The 30-year-old would occupy a Designated Player spot on Chicago’s roster. 

Shaqiri is no stranger to the Chicago Fire staff. The team’s Sporting Director Georg Heitz worked for Swiss Super League side Basel when Shaqiri made his senior breakthrough. 

Shaqiri signed a deal with Lyon last year through the 2024 season. He joined the French club in August 2021, with the Ligue 1 side paying Liverpool a fee of €6m. 

Internationally, Shaqiri has recorded 26 goals in 100 caps for the Swiss national team.