TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Chicago Fire FC have signed center back Rafael Czichos from German Bundesliga side FC Kƶln on a three-year deal through the 2024 season, it was announced Sunday.
Czichos, 31, is a left-sided defender who is expected to lead Chicagoās backline as the Ezra Hendrickson era gets underway. He was signed with Targeted Allocation Money, per a source, and will occupy an international roster slot on the Fireās 2022 roster.
āOne of our key objectives for this offseason was to acquire a talented left-footed center back and we feel confident we have achieved that with Rafaelās signing,ā Chicago sporting director Georg Heitz said in a release. āWorking closely with Ezra and the staff, we identified Rafael as a player who will fit our style of play and bring more quality and leadership to our roster. Weāre thrilled that he has agreed to join the Fire and look forward to welcoming him to Chicago.ā
Czichos signed with Kƶln ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, making 111 all-competition appearances across Germanyās first and second divisions. Beforehand, he captained German side Holstein Kiel as they earned promotion to the 2. Bundesliga for the first time since 1981.
Chicagoās defense allowed 54 goals during the 2021 season to finish in the bottom third league-wide. Hendrickson, a defender during his own MLS playing career, is expected to lean upon Czichos to help improve that form.
