Czichos, Navarro Receiving U.S. Green Cards
The Chicago Fire will enter the 2024 summer window with increased roster flexibility as both defender Rafa Czichos and midfielder Fede Navarro are achieving permanent U.S. residency. The Fire used the international break as an opportunity for Czichos and Navarro to complete their green card interviews, a process which has been in motion for several months. Both will now be considered to be domestic players on the roster thus freeing up two international slots.
Czichos, who joined the club ahead of the 2022 season, is from Germany despite being born in Saudi Arabia. The former captain returned to Chicago today but will miss the Fire’s road game against Toronto FC. Now 34, it seems likely that he will see out his professional career in the United States, and receiving a green card makes that even more feasible.
Navarro’s case is somewhat different in that his long-term future does not necessarily lie in Chicago. In recent days, Argentine media has linked him with a return to his homeland, and while it remains to be seen if that will materialize, his five-year U-22 Initiative contract is one which the Fire might not be afraid to move if the right offer comes in. Nonetheless, opening an international slot by getting a green card for Navarro does incredible flexibility in the current window, especially considering the current market value of such a slot is roughly between $200,000 and $250,000 in General Allocation Money.
While Navarro, like Czichos, was not with the team over the international break as he completed his green card interview, he would have missed that time through injury regardless. In his midweek media availability Wednesday, head coach Frank Klopas said that he would be out for some time.
“[Navarro] will not be available,” Klopas said. “I think those guys are longer term. How long? I couldn't tell you.”
The Fire have continued to be one of the best teams in MLS at opening roster slots by helping players achieve permanent residency. Because of that, Gastón Giménez, Arnaud Souquet, and Carlos Terán are treated as domestic players, and for a team with just eight international roster slots available, opening two more could be a boost in the summer market. Acquiring a green card is only feasible for players of certain nationalities due to the differing visa laws from country to country; for instance, it is not expected that any of Allan Arigoni, Maren Haile-Selassie, or Xherdan Shaqiri would enter this process due to Switzerland’s policies on such matters.
Now, with the summer transfer window just around the corner, the Fire have filled six of their eight total international slots. On-loan draft pick Laurence Wootton would require an international slot, but due to his “slot 31” status, he is ineligible to appear this season. Should Omari Glasgow be promoted permanently to the first team by signing an MLS deal, he would also require an international slot.
