UPDATE (Aug. 6, 2:50 pm ET) – Chicago made the Federico Navarro signing official on Friday afternoon, announcing that they've acquired the defensive midfielder from Argentine side CA Talleres.
Navarro joins through the 2025 season with a club option for 2026. He'll occupy an international roster spot and a U22 Initiative slot, the Fire's second such signing after they previously landed 17-year-old Colombian striker Jhon Jader Duran.
“Federico is a very talented defensive midfielder, who fits the demands of MLS,” Chicago sporting director Georg Heitz said in a release. “Despite being just 21 years old, he has been a consistent starter in one of the most challenging leagues in South America. His aggressiveness and ability to cover a lot of ground quickly will add a defensive mindset and balance to our roster. We look forward to welcoming him to Chicago in the coming weeks.”
ORIGINAL (Aug. 6, 10:30 am ET) – Chicago Fire FC have signed midfielder Federico Navarro from Argentine Primera Division side Talleres, a source has confirmed to MLSsoccer.com.
The news was initially reported by The Chicago Tribune’s Jeremy Mikula, with the Fire completing the move before the league’s Secondary Transfer Window closed on Thursday evening.
Navarro has notched 52 appearances for Talleres and is renowned for his ability to break up plays and cover ground. The signing should help balance Chicago’s midfield, with the Eastern Conference club allowing 28 goals through 14 games this year, which puts them third-from-bottom across MLS.
The 21-year-old former Argentine youth international mostly plays as a defensive midfielder and joins a central-park crew that includes Gaston Gimenez and Alvaro Medran, while attacker Ignacio Aliseda can also play through the middle. Gimenez is a DP alongside forward Robert Beric, while Aliseda was signed as a Young Designated Player.
The Fire were busy on deadline day outside of Navarro, also transferring midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski to French side RC Lens. The Polish international played mostly as a winger or wingback on the right-hand side.
Navarro is the latest Talleres player to join an MLS club, with midfielder Tomas Pochettino a Designated Player for Austin FC and winger Franco Fragapane joining Minnesota United FC this summer.
