A club record $10 million transfer fee ($15M with add-ons) for 18-year old keeper.
CHICAGO, IL–What was ‘very close’ has now become official as Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Gaga Slonina will be heading to English Premier League side Chelsea FC at season’s end. He will remain on loan with the Fire until the end of the season.
Chelsea paid a $10 million base transfer fee that could go up to $15 million with add-ons. He will join Chelsea at the start of 2023 and will be under contract through 2028. In addition, the Fire will get a percentage of any future transfer fees for Slonina that Chelsea receive.
The transfer fee is a record for a Chicago Fire player and one of the largest for an MLS youth product. Slonina had been the target of many a European suitor before Chelsea sealed the deal on Tuesday. Slonina, 18, is also the youngest Fire player to join a top-five European league.
“We’re very proud and happy to see Gaga reach this milestone moment in his career,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Since joining the Club, Gaga has embodied what it means to be a Chicago Fire player. In addition to his incredible talent, he is mature beyond his years, extremely hard working, and a fantastic teammate. Gaga is a role model to many young aspiring footballers in Chicago, and this transfer demonstrates that a player can progress to the first team from our Academy before joining one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
Slonina, 18, originally joined the Chicago Fire youth system at 10 years old before inking a professional contract with the first team on March 8th, 2019. At just 14 years old, Slonina became the second-youngest player signing in MLS history behind Freddy Adu and the youngest Homegrown signing in League history at the time.
From there, he made his first start in August 2021 in a 0-0 draw against New York City FC making him the youngest keeper in MLS history to record a clean sheet. This season as the first-choice keeper, Slonina already has ten clean sheets which is tied for second in the league to go with four the previous season.
“I joined this Club with ambitions of playing at the highest level and it’s been a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey,” said Slonina. “This Club has become my second home, my second family, and there are so many people that have played a big role in helping me get to where I am today. I’m so thankful for all the support that I’ve received from my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone associated with the Club. It’s been an incredible honor to work alongside each one of you.”
“To the fans, I want to thank you all for supporting a local boy from Addison. You have inspired me to work my hardest day in and day out” continued Slonina. “I promise that I will continue to give everything in these final 11 games to help get us back into the playoffs and compete for a championship.”
As mentioned before, Slonina is on loan to the Fire until the end of the MLS season. He is expected to be in goal on Saturday at the Fire travel to Charlotte FC (6pm, WGN-TV).
