The Chicago Fire added a dose of speed to the club's arsenal of attacking talent as it heads into the 2013 season.
The club on Wednesday announced it acquired Quincy Amarikwa from Toronto FC in exchange for a 2014 first-round MLS Supplemental Draft pick. He'll be available for selection for the Fire's season opener at the LA Galaxy on Sunday, March 3 (5 pm ET, Univision). He'll compete for playing time with designated player Sherjill MacDonald, Chris Rolfe, Maicon Santos and Alex.
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The 25-year-old striker, who has scored four career goals since joining the league in 2009, is joining his fourth MLS club after the San Jose Earthquakes (2009-10), the Colorado Rapids (2010-12) and Toronto FC (2012).
“We were able to evaluate him during preseason to see how well he fits into our system," said Fire president of soccer operations Javier Leon in a club statement. "He’s a talented player and will strengthen our squad as we begin the 2013 season.”
Amarikwa joined the Fire for preseason training as a guest player earlier in February and appeared in an exhibition match against San Jose. He re-joined the club for training in Charleston, S.C., on Friday.
The Bakersfield, Calif., native was picked by the Earthquakes 32nd overall in the 2009 SuperDraft and was traded in April 2010 to the Colorado Rapids, where he scored three of his four career MLS goals and contributed to the MLS Cup-winning squad in 2010.
After being waived by the Rapids in 2012, he latched on with the New York Red Bulls, who traded him to Toronto FC, where he spent the tail end of the 2012 season.
