Joao Meira

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed on January 23, 2016.

PRONUNCIATION: mah-EEY-rah

Capable of playing as a center back or, if needed, at central midfield, Meira signed a one-year deal with a club option for a second season in January 2016. He’ll likely have plenty of chances to pair with Johan Kappelhof as the Fire’s first-choice center back tandem, though Jonathan Campbell and others will be competing for time.  

• Chicago-Fire.com: Meira’s bio

OUTSIDE MLS: Meira bounced around Portugal’s lower divisions early in his career, eventually helping Belenenses earn promotion to the country’s top flight in the 2012-13 season – his first with the club. He was a regular in the Belenenses lineup in the Primeira Liga, appearing in 58 games across all competitions – including 45 league matches – in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons before leaving the club.