The Chicago Fire have signed forward Robert Earnshaw, formerly of Toronto FC, the club announced Friday.
Earnshaw, a 33-year-old former Wales international, featured for the Reds in 2013 after 15-year career in the English first and second divisions, scoring eight goals across 26 appearances. He was most recently with Blackpool in the English Championship, making one appearance, after his option was declined by TFC at the end of the 2013 season.
“Robert is a veteran player with a wealth of international experience,” said Fire head coach and director of soccer Frank Yallop in a statement. “He’s a gifted, natural goalscorer who is already familiar with the league, and we’re glad to have him join the Fire as we continue the second half of the MLS campaign.”
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A product of Cardiff City’s youth program, Earnshaw made his professional debut with the senior side in 1998. Through 2004, Earnshaw made 168 appearances and scored 83 goals across all competitions for Cardiff.
In 2004, Earnshaw joined Premier League side West Brom Albion, scoring 12 goals in 43 matches. During the January 2006 transfer window, Earnshaw signed for Norwich City, scoring 27 goals in 45 matches before departing for Derby County in 2007.
Earnshaw then represented Nottingham Forest from 2008-2011 where he scored 35 goals in 98 appearances before re-joining Cardiff in 2011. In 2012, Earnshaw was loaned to Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he made 10 appearances and scored two goals before signing with Toronto FC.
Born in Mufulira, Zambia, Earnshaw moved to Wales when he was nine years old and made his senior debut for the Welsh national team on May 13, 2002. In his debut appearance, Earnshaw scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Germany at Millennium Stadium. Earnshaw has since scored 16 goals in 58 international appearances for the Dragons.
