The Chicago Fire have drawn from the South American well again. Two days after adding Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo, the club on Wednesday announced the signing of Uruguayan striker Federico Puppo.
Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Federico Puppo is a player we’ve kept an eye for the past few seasons,” Fire head coach Frank Klopas said in a statement. “He is a smart forward who moves well off the ball and finishes in front of the goal. His addition helps us to strengthen our attacking core. We are excited to get all of these guys into camp and begin putting in the work on the field.”
The 25-year-old Puppo brings both top-level club and international experience to Chicago. Last season, he played for Primera División Uruguayan side Danubio FC, making 10 appearances and scoring two goals as the club finished second place in the 2011 Apertura campaign.
He began his professional career with Montevideo Wanderers in 2004, and then moved to Uruguayan Primera División rivals Club Atlético River Plate in 2006. Over the next five years, he made 57 league appearances and scored 17 goals for the Montevideo club. In 2008, he helped River win the Clausura championship, and the following year played a role in their historic run to the Copa Sudamericana semifinals.
Internationally, Puppo represented Uruguay at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. He scored the lone goal in a 1-0 opening win over Ecuador, and helped the side take the bronze medal at the tournament.
