Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy today announced that the club has acquired the rights to midfielder Pascal Bedrossian, a 31-year-old French international, via a partial MLS allocation. Per MLS policy, financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The Fire used a portion of the allocation due to the club from the departure of forward Damani Ralph to FC Rubin Kazan (Russia) in March 2005 to acquire the left-footed, playmaking midfielder.
"We had the opportunity to bring Pascal into camp about two months ago, and we were immediately impressed with his professionalism, his technical ability and, most importantly, his personality from the standpoint that he was very excited about the prospect of joining our team and helping us win championships," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "If there's a position where we'll always entertain improvement, it would be in the attacking third, and Pascal's an attacking player that brings with him a lot of first team experience in France. We think his addition will help us in the push towards our goal of reaching and winning MLS Cup."
Bedrossian will become the club's third Senior International, joining Andy Herron (Costa Rica) and midfielder Ivan Guerrero (Honduras). Bedrossian joined the Fire for training on Tuesday, but will be unavailable for selection for the "Men in Red" until his P-1 work visa is secured.
A left-footed player who can line up both left and centrally in the midfield as well as an underneath striker Bedrossian last played during the 2004-2005 campaign for Angers SCO in France's Ligue 2 (second division). Bedrossian has spent his entire professional career in France, beginning his professional playing days in 1992 with Ligue 2 club AS Cannes, which earned promotion to France's top division, Ligue 1, the following season. Bedrossian stayed with AS Cannes through the 1996/97 season before moving to Ligue 1 sides Stade Rennais (1997/98) and FC Lorient (1998-2004), which spent the 1998/99 and 2001/02 campaigns in Ligue 1 but was twice relegated to Ligue 2 in Bedrossian's six-year tenure.
"For me, coming to play in the USA is a dream come true. Nothing makes me happier than joining the Fire. Michael Jordan has always been my idol - as an athlete and a person. What could be better than playing in his hometown, Chicago?" said Bedrossian. "I hope the experience I've gained in France will help the Fire win championships. The welcome my teammates and the coaching staff has given me has been really warm. Giving them all I've got is my way of saying, 'Thanks, it's great to be part of this team.'"
Bedrossian was a part of the FC Lorient squad that captured the 2002 Coupe de France (French Cup), giving the team its first and only championship in the 88-year old tournament. Bedrossian also twice competed in the UEFA Cup, logging two games with Lorient in the 2002-03 tournament and scoring a goal in three appearances for AS Cannes in the 1994-95 competition, helping the squad to the second round. Born in Marseille, France, Bedrossian also played as a youth in the French National Team program for its Under-15, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-23 sides.
Pascal Bedrossian
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'9" (1.73 m)
Weight: 161 lbs. (73 kg)
Born: November 28, 1974 in Marseille, France
Hometown: Marseille, France
Citizenship: France/Armenia
Last Club: Angers SCO (Ligue 2/French Second Division)
How Acquired: Acquired via MLS player allocation 8-23-06
International Club Career: Spent entire 14-year professional career playing in the French first (Ligue 1) and second (Ligue 2) divisions ... 2004-05: Scored one goal in 24 matches for Ligue 2 side Angers SCO ... 2003-04: Played in six matches for Lorient FC in Ligue 2 ... 2002-03: Contributed two goals in 22 matches for Lorient FC between Ligue 2 play and UEFA Cup competition ... Played in both of Lorient's matches in the UEFA Cup First Round against Turkish side Denizlispor, which Lorient lost on away goals after finishing 3-3 on aggregate ... 2001-02: Made 16 appearances for Lorient FC during its Ligue 1 campaign ... Helped Lorient FC to the 2002 Coupe de France (French Cup) crown, the team's lone title in the historic domestic tournament ... 2000-01: Appeared in four games for Lorient FC in the squad's promotion-winning season ... 1999-2000: Played in 17 matches for Lorient FC in Ligue 2 play ... 1998-99: Scored one goal in 17 appearances for Lorient FC in his first season with the French first division side ... 1997-98: Made six appearances in his lone season with Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais ... 1996-97: Scored one goal in 15 games with Ligue 1 side Cannes AS ... 1995-96: Tallied one goal in 19 matches for Cannes AS ... 1994-95: Scored a career-high four goals across 25 matches in Ligue 1 and UEFA Cup competition as a member of Cannes AS ... Played in three of four matches for Cannes AS in UEFA Cup play, scoring one goal in helping the squad advance to the tournament's Second Round ... 1993-94: Played in 16 games for Cannes AS in Ligue 1 play ... 1992-93: Scored one goal in nine matches for then Ligue 2 side Cannes AS in his first professional season and helped the squad gain promotion to the French first division.
French Youth National Teams: Represented France internationally on the country's Under-15, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-21 sides.
