Source: Justin Reynolds joining Lugano on loan
Chicago Fire homegrown Justin Reynolds is joining sister club FC Lugano on a short-term loan until the end of the Swiss Super League season, sources tell MIR97 Media. The defender will help the Bianconeri in their push for European qualification.
The deal to send Reynolds is a development-focused loan, which also shows the Fire's faith in him as a high-valued prospect in the organization. Reynolds is considered a high-ceiling fullback who could be an important first team contributor in the near future, and a move to get minutes in a competitive European league will only benefit him.
The younger brother of former Fire homegrown Andre, Reynolds has made 40 appearances for Chicago Fire II across two seasons. He signed as a homegrown player ahead of the 2023 season, and made the bench in MLS twice, when he was an unused substitute, against Nashville SC and CF Montréal in July.
Reynolds' move to Switzerland is the first of its kind since the Fire's partnership with Lugano began in 2021. In the past, the Fire have mostly sent players such as Ignacio Aliseda and Jhon Espinoza across the pond to shed their expensive salaries, with some of the top Lugano players coming the other way such as Maren Haile-Selassie and Ousmane Doumbia.
The loan move of Reynolds comes in conjunction with forward Kacper Przybyłko's transfer to Lugano at the Swiss transfer deadline on Thursday. The veteran attacker had struggled for two seasons since arriving from the Philadelphia Union, and his move to Lugano both got his expensive TAM salary off the books and freed up a valuable Senior Roster spot. Unlike Reynolds' move, Przybyłko's is a permanent transfer and required the use of the Fire's one-time buyout.
