The Chicago Fire put an end to a drawn-out saga on Friday when they announced the signing of Uruguayan striker Diego Cháves.
The signing of Chaves, a 25-year-old from powerhouse Nacional, has been in the works for a while, but his name had yet to be released. The deal was held up by paperwork, according to the club.
He is the second Uruguayan striker signed by the club, following the capture of Gastón Puerari earlier this month.
Cháves scored one goal in 10 appearances with Nacional in the 2010 Apertura. Prior to his time at the Montevideo-based club, Cháves played for Mexican clubs Querétaro (2009-2010) and Veracruz (2010). He spent 2004-2009 at Uruguayan club Montevideo Wanderers, scoring 27 goals in 93 appearances and briefly playing with Puerari.
“Diego is a dynamic forward who can score goals and create offensively,” technical director Frank Klopas said in a press statement. “His size, ability and strike rate in Uruguay should assist in his transition to MLS.”
According to a club spokesman, Cháves will join the Fire’s preseason camp in Ave Maria, Fla., on Sunday. Per league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Sam Stejskal covers the Chicago Fire for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at sam.h.stejskal@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @samstejskal.
