Slovenian striker comes in from Saint-Etienne.
CHICAGO, IL—The Chicago have signed their first Designated Player for 2020 in Slovenian striker Robert Beric from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne. Beric will join the club pending receipt of his international transer certificate and P-1 Visa. He is under contract through 2021 with a club option for 2022.
Beric, 28, first made his name at Rapid Vienna where he scored 27 goals in 33 matches in 2014-15. He moved to Saint-Etienne the next season and has scored 34 goals in 81 appearances over 4+ seasons.
With Slovenia, Beric has earned 25 caps and scored twice.
“I’m very happy to be in Chicago, and I think this is going to be a great new era for the Fire,” said Berić. “I am looking forward to getting to work with my new teammates and starting the new season.”
“We are very excited to add Robert to our roster ahead of the upcoming season,” said Fire head coach Raphael Wicky. “Robert is hard-working, intelligent number nine who has the ability to score goals at a high rate. We are looking forward to welcoming him and his family to Chicago.”
In other news, the Fire named RB Leipzig U-19 assistant and former Australian international David Zdrillic as an assistant alongside Frank Klopas, who was appointed on Tuesday.
Zdrilic is also a prominent name in soccer broadcasting presenting the last three World Cups and various other international contests including UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). Zrdilic also has 30 caps with the Socceroos from 1997 to 2005 and is currently part of Australia’s beach soccer squad.
