Shaqiri leaves Chicago Fire ´to explore new opportunities´

Xherdan Shaqiri has agreed to leave the Chicago Fire two and a half years on from his record-breaking transfer to the MLS club.

Former Bayern Munich, Inter and Liverpool winger Shaqiri joined the Fire from Lyon in February 2022 in a reported $7.5million deal, then a club record fee.

Shaqiri, who won the Champions League at both Bayern and Liverpool, scored 14 goals in 69 regular-season matches for Chicago.

However, the 32-year-old had not played for the club since May due to appearing for Switzerland at Euro 2024. He subsequently retired from international football.

Shaqiri does not appear ready to quit the club game, though, explaining this mutual agreement served to further his career elsewhere.

“I believe this is the right time for me to explore new opportunities in my career,” he said in a statement.

“I just wanted to say thank you to everybody.”

Shaq stopped by training today to say goodbye to his teammates and Chicago Fire staff! #cf97 pic.twitter.com/G6yaV0dJQE

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) August 14, 2024

“I want to thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Chicago. I wish the Fire nothing but success moving forward.”