Fire sign Leonardo Barroso from Sporting CP
The Chicago Fire have signed Leonardo Barroso from Sporting CP, the club announced this morning.
The 19-year-old right back prospect is a Portuguese youth international and will fill a U-22 Initiative slot. Barroso is yet to debut for the Sporting first team but has 12 appearances this season for their second team in the third tier.
“We're very pleased to welcome Leonardo to the Fire. He’s coming from an elite environment at Sporting, where he worked closely with Filipe Çelikkaya, who recently joined us as an assistant coach,” said Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “We believe that Leonardo has a very high ceiling, and we’re confident he will make an immediate impact. His skill set and mentality align well with our vision, and we’re excited to see how he contributes to the future success of the Club.”
Finding a new starting right back was a priority for the Fire this offseason, given that it has been a problem position in the last two seasons since the departure of Boris Sekulić. Arnaud Souquet has failed to live up to his price tag during his time with the club, and he will likely be on the transfer list again this year.
The Fire now have four right backs on the first team roster, as in addition to Souquet, both Jonathan Dean and Justin Reynolds remain as backups. It would be shocking if at least one of them doesn’t leave the club before opening day in February, and Souquet will likely be a top option for the Fire’s one-time annual contract buyout.
Elsewhere, the Fire remain in the market for two Designated Players, likely a left winger and a central midfielder. At least two midfielders are still expected to join the club this offseason.
