Have the Chicago Fire finally found that key international player they've been looking for?
On Tuesday, the Fire announced they have officially signed Ecuadorian forward Juan Luis Anangonó from Argentine club Argentinos Juniors. Anangonó will be a Designated Player, but other terms of the deal were undisclosed, per team and league policy.
Anangonó, 24, began his career with Ecuador's Barcelona SC in 2008, before moving on to Quito side El Nacional in 2011. He scored 30 goals in 72 appearances before going on loan to the Argentine Primera División with Argentinos Juniors last year. With the Buenos Aires side, Anangonó notched five goals in 32 appearances.
He is also a former Ecuadorian youth international, representing his country during the 2009 South American U-20 Championship.
Although Chicago have benefitted in increased scoring since the arrival of Mike Magee in May, they have struggled to find a variety of offensive weapons on the field, and hopes are high that Anangonó can adjust to MLS and the style of play in Chicago better than many of the team's recent international signings.
That includes forward Sherjill MacDonald, who signed last year amid high hopes, but who has only scored four goals and five assists in 27 league appearances, with no goals in 2013.
If recent reports are any indication, MacDonald's lack of production for the Fire may lead to his departure from the team in the near future.
