Yet another Fire fan favorite has departed Bridgeview. This time, midfielder Michael de Leeuw has departed to join Dutch Eredivise debutantes FC Emmen on a year-and-a-half contract with an option for an additional year.
De Leeuw’s option was declined by the Fire after three seasons in Bridgeview, but the club at the time said it was still negotiating with him on a new deal. That has not happened and the Fire’s revolving door continues at full speed.
De Leeuw made 61 appearances in all competitions for the Fire scoring 13 goals and 14 assists. He had seven goals and three assists in his first season in 2016. The next year, he was placed into more of a supporting role while Nemanja Nikolic and David Accam were scoring the goals. De Leeuw’s 2017 was cut short though with a ruptured ACL and did not return until the following August.
THOUGHTS: Fire Confidential’s Martin Tomszak tweeted out this stat: Fire President and GM Nelson Rodriguez has signed 49 players in his 3+ years at the Fire–just 18 remain. Losing a player like de Leeuw and practically giving up on Jonathan Campbell (traded to Seattle for a fourth-round pick) does not generate confidence among the Fire faithful that the club is ready to turn things around–let alone the perception that this is a “club of choice” as Rodriguez once boasted during a media roundtable.
Chicago Fire
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