Anton Salétros Joins Chicago Fire from AIK
The Chicago Fire announced their first new signing for the 2026 season today, confirming the addition of Swedish international midfielder Anton Salétros from AIK. Salétros signed a three-year deal with the club.
Salétros, 29, has experience in Sweden, Hungary, Russia, Norway, and France. He has 19 caps for the Swedish national team and while he is not a part of the current squad, he has been a consistent part of their group for World Cup Qualifying. He has helped guide AIK to 3rd and 4th place Allsvenskan finishes in 2024 and 2025 after saving them from relegation in 2023.
Salétros is a defensive or box-to-box midfielder who will likely replace Rominigue Kouamé in the Fire's midfield rotation. Like Kouamé, he is a left footed player and will bring tenacious bite to the Fire's midfield.
“We’re excited to welcome Anton to the Chicago Fire," Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said in a press release. "His experience across both international and league play will have an immediate impact on our roster as we continue to push forward. Anton brings a winning mentality and competitive edge - qualities that will elevate our team next season.”
This move is not the first time the Fire have turned to Scandinavia since Berhalter and Sporting Director Gregg Broughton joined the club last October. Danish winger Philip Zinckernagel joined the Fire this season having last played at Bødo/Glimt, and went on to have a team MVP-level season. Defender Sam Rogers arrived from the Norwegian league as well. The club made a big push to sign Patrick Berg from Bødo/Glimt as a Designated Player over the summer, but it never materialized.
Now, they turn to Salétros as he begins a new chapter in Major League Soccer. The club has also finalized a move to make André Franco's loan permanent, which is expected to be announced soon as well. There will be further movement in the midfield department as Kellyn Acosta could also depart and the team has the ability to add a Designated Player.
