Kacper Przybyłko offloaded to FC Lugano
Chicago Fire forward Kacper Przybyłko has left the club, the club confirmed in a statement this morning. Przybyłko will sign with sister club FC Lugano in the Swiss Super League, freeing up a Senior Roster spot and getting his expensive salary off the books.
Moving Przybyłko had been among the top priorities this offseason for Georg Heitz and the Fire, as he held an important TAM-level position on the roster. The 30-year-old failed to live up to almost all expectations since his arrival in a blockbuster $1.25 million trade with Philadelphia ahead of the 2022 season.
“Kacper will be an important addition for our partner club FC Lugano,” said Fire Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “It’s no secret that we have been planning to move Kacper prior to the start of the 2024 season. This transfer will provide additional reinforcements for FC Lugano while also providing Kacper with an opportunity to play in a competitive European league.”
Przybyłko had been training separately from the Fire in recent days as he sought to finalize his move. The Polish forward scored just nine league goals across two seasons with the club, and at different points lost the starting job up front to Jhon Durán, Kei Kamara, and Georgios Koutsias. The club-record signing of DP forward Hugo Cuypers, as well as backup Tom Barlow, demoted Przybyłko to fourth string.
The departure of Przybyłko, in addition to the mutual termination of YDP Jairo Torres last week, brings the size of the Senior Roster down to 21, just one over the limit, inching the Fire closer to roster compliance. Heitz must now move just one more player before the compliance deadline on February 23rd, with third-string TAM right back Arnaud Souquet and TAM midfielder Gastón Giménez possible options. Giménez has been linked with a move back to his native Argentina in recent days.
