Franco Eager for “Big Responsibility” with Chicago Fire

In a year where the Chicago Fire were linked with potential superstar signings like never before, André Franco is the man they've brought in as their big summer acquisition. The Portuguese attacking midfielder, who joins the club in an initial short-term loan from Liga Portugal giants FC Porto, arrived in Chicago this week and is gearing up for a potential debut this weekend.

Sure, he isn't Neymar Jr. or Kevin de Bruyne. But he is someone who can be a difference-maker in MLS, and is eager to embrace the task of being the Fire's new #10 for the rest of the season.

“It's a big responsibility, but a good responsibility,” Franco said Thursday as he was introduced to the media for the first time. “I think that it's a challenge for myself to be able to go out there. I'm ready to be able to help the team. And I think that together we're going to be able to reach all the goals that the team has set for itself.”

Franco “Always Wished” to play in MLS

When the Fire closed in on the deal, Franco seemed like an outside-the-box choice for a summer signing. He was an attacking midfielder out of favor at Porto, and joined in a cut-rate deal that is an initial loan with a fairly cheap option to buy. Berhalter revealed last week that Franco had initiated the contact, and that the Portuguese midfielder personally sought out a move to MLS and, specifically, the Fire.

“I worked with (assistant coach) Filipe Çelikkaya in the past, and when he came here in January, we had been in touch,” Franco said, originally in Portuguese. “We had been in touch and he said, 'would you been interested in this?" and I have always been open to something like that.”

“We were in touch against constantly throughout the year. Now with the summer window, there was another opportunity. I was very interested in the club and they were interested in me as well. I always wished to have the opportunity to play in the United States and in MLS, so it was a very good opportunity for me.”

The fact that Franco wanted to come to Chicago is a very positive sign for the club, even if the prior connection with the coaching staff at the Fire already existed. Franco is a talented Portuguese midfielder in his prime, and he reached out to the Fire about potentially spending some of the best years of his career in MLS.

“The club also showed a lot of interest, and there were offers from other places, but this is the one that was really the most tempting for me and I'm really happy to be here.”

Rapid Integration

Franco joins the club more than two-thirds of the way through the MLS regular season, so he has very little time to get acclimated to his new surroundings and teammates. There are just eight games remaining before the regular season comes to an end, though the Fire are also hoping to reach the postseason for the first time since 2017.

Franco's loan agreement only runs through December, meaning he only has the remaining schedule to prove to the coaching staff why they should make this move permanent. While he won't be a DP if he stays, Franco must prove that he's at the level of a TAM acquisition in this final stretch and is very capable of doing that.

“I'm certain that we'll be in the playoffs, but it's eight games where I really have to prove myself,” Franco said. “It's a challenge for me, but I also want to show people here at the Fire that they can bet on me, and I don't want to just be here until December. I want to be here for a long time representing this club, and I'm really happy to be in Chicago.”

“As far as integrating with my teammates, it's been really easy. Everyone from players to staff has been really great and it's only been a week, but it feels like I've been here a long time.”

Setting the Stage

While he was the first move of the window, Franco is still fresh in the memory of Fire fans and is the most high-profile signing of the window. His highly anticipated debut could come this Saturday in Philadelphia, and since he’s had a full week to train with his new teammates, he may play a major role against the Union.

Seven days after

to cement himself in their hearts and minds.

“From what I've seen, Philadelphia are a team that plays in transition and likes to attack,” Franco said. “They're very aggressive; we have to go in and match their aggressiveness.”

Franco met his teammates several days ago and has trained with the team for the bulk of this week, though he is not at 100% fitness due to not having a full preseason, and he had a rehab day on Thursday. Franco will be available for selection, but the role he plays will, of course, be determined by Berhalter and Co. prior to kickoff.

“We know what to expect from them,” Franco said of the Union. “And if we can match that, we're prepared to go and get three points in Philadelphia.”