TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Chicago Fire have addressed their need on the wing with the addition of Serbian international Aleksandar Katai, as the club announced his addition to the 2018 roster Tuesday.
He was acquired on loan from La Liga side Deportivo Alaves, with an option to purchase the player outright and to extend his MLS contract.
“Aleksandar should make our attack more diversified,” Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodríguez said in a release. “He has the ability to turn a game on a single play whether it be off the dribble, with a pass or cross or even on set pieces. His desire to triumph should also fit well in our locker room.”
NEWS | We've acquired Serbian international Aleksandar Katai on loan from Deportivo Alavés. Welcome, Aleksandar!
— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) February 6, 2018
📝➡️ https://t.co/XeysVNVye7#cf97pic.twitter.com/NliRzIyGhE
Katai, 26, joined Alaves in 2016, appearing in 23 matches with three goals and four assists for the La Liga side. Coming through the youth ranks of Vojvodina, his hometown club, he made his professional debut there in 2009. He's also played in Serbia for FK Palic and Red Star Belgrade, and in Greece for Olympiacos, OFI Crete and Platanias, before his last move to Spain. With Red Star, Katai won the Serbian SuperLiga in 2015-16 and was the league's golden boot winner that year, with 21 goals.
He is also a Serbian international, having racked up six caps to date at senior level for his country since making his debut in 2015, including four appearances during the most recent World Cup qualifying campaign.
In Chicago, Katai will be among fellow Serbian speakers Nemanja Nikolic, who was born in Serbia, and Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic.
The Fire open the 2018 MLS regular season on March 10 at home against Sporting KC (6 pm ET | MLS LIVE).
