TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Chicago Fire have signed former US international defender Jonathan Bornstein from Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Netanya, the club announced Monday. The Fire first acquired the No. 1 spot in the MLS waiver order from Columbus Crew SC in exchange for $50,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to sign Bornstein.
Bornstein, 34, is a former US international, MLS Rookie of the Year (2006) and two-time MLS All-Star (2007, 2008). Most recently with Maccabi Netanya, he made 36 appearances after joining last summer.
"We began pursuing Jonathan back in January but, unfortunately, his insertion into the lineup made him too invaluable to his former club,” Chicago Fire President and General Manager Nelson Rodrίguez said in a club statement. “In addition to providing a steady presence and competition on the field, we believe Jonathan will be an excellent mentor for our younger players.”
Bornstein spent 2006-2010 with Chivas USA, making 123 appearances and helping guide the team to the playoffs four consecutive seasons. He left the league in 2011, joining Tigres in Liga MX. During his time in Mexico, he featured for Atlante and Queretaro FC.
He made 38 appearances for the US national team and was part of the 2007 Gold Cup winning squad, making five starts at the tournament.
