Chicago Fire re-sign midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger for 2018 season

Bastian Schweinsteiger Re-Signs with the Chicago Fire

🔥 🔥 🔥 He's back! Bastian Schweinsteiger has re-signed with the Chicago Fire.

Posted by Major League Soccer (MLS) on Wednesday, January 17, 2018

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Re-signed

It's official: Bastian Schweinsteiger will be back in Chicago in 2018.

The Chicago Fire announced on Wednesday night that they have re-signed the German midfielder to a Designated Player contract for the 2018 season. The 33-year-old made 24 MLS regular season appearances, scoring three goals and six assists, and one MLS Cup Playoffs appearance in 2017 for the Fire, the club he joined on March 21 from Manchester United.

The World Cup winner helped revitalize the Fire last season, as they qualified for the postseason for the first time in five years and finished in third place in the Eastern Conference. Schweinsteiger was also an MLS All-Star in 2017 and captained the side vs. Real Madrid.

“I am very happy to re-sign with the Chicago Fire, and to continue what we started in 2017,” Schweinsteiger said in a club statement. “Last year was a special moment for my career, but it felt incomplete without a trophy. But I am sure we can create another memorable season with the support of our great fans. I love this city, this sport, and winning, so I look forward to another season with the Fire as we progress to hopefully another level of success.”

The 2014 World Cup winner, who amassed 121 caps with Germany, arrived in MLS in 2017 after 13 years at German powerhouse Bayern Munich (Dec. 2002 through July 2015) and just under two seasons at legendary English side Manchester United (July 2015 through March 2017).

The Fire open the 2018 MLS regular season on March 10 at home against Sporting Kansas City (6 pm ET).