Rominigue Kouamé joins Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire announced the signing of Rominigue Kouamé from Cádiz this morning, adding a key piece less than a month before the start of the MLS season. The Côte d'Ivoire-born midfielder joins on an initial loan, with the Fire maintaining an option to buy.
“We’re excited to welcome Rominigue to the Fire,” said Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “His addition brings another dimension to our midfield and strengthens the team in a key area. With his qualities and experience competing in elite European leagues like La Liga and Ligue 1, we’re confident Rominigue will make an immediate impact and help us achieve our goals this season.”
Kouamé, 28, has plenty of experience in France, with spells in France, Belgium, and Spain. His most successful spell came at ESTAC Troyes, where he was an important player for them between 2021 and 2023 during their spell in Ligue 1. Upon Troyes' relegation in 2023, he moved to Cádiz, where he appeared 16 times in La Liga before they, too, were relegated. Kouamé leaves los Limoneros midway through his second season in the south of Spain, with the team sitting just above the Segunda División relegation zone in 17th place.
Prior to joining Troyes, Kouamé spent three seasons under contract with LOSC Lille. However, he made just six appearances in that time, spending most of the time out on loan. This period overlapped with fellow new signing Jonathan Bamba's time in Lille, including the famous Ligue 1 win in 2021, even if Kouamé spent that season out on loan in Ligue 2.
Despite being born in Côte d'Ivoire, Kouamé represents Mali internationally. However, he has just 10 total caps, with only three coming since 2016; he has not appeared at the international level since a handful of FIFA World Cup qualifying cameos in 2021.
Valued by Transfermarkt at €2 million, Kouamé will fill a position of urgent need for the Fire. With the imminent departure of Fede Navarro for Rosario Central, Berhalter's team have been left with just one true, recognized central midfielder in the first team – Kellyn Acosta. For now, Kouamé is set to partner Acosta come opening day pending his arrival and visa approval, though at least one other midfielder will likely be added before then. Center back Mauricio Pineda and homegrown Sergio Oregel Jr. are also options, though the latter only has 11 minutes of MLS experience.
The arrival of Kouamé, combined with the departure of Navarro, leaves the Fire with three open senior roster slots. However, the team has just one remaining international slot, as Navarro has a Green Card and Kouamé does not. Navarro's departure will open a U-22 Initiative slot on the roster, too. The Fire have one open Designated Player slot, and while there were rumors last week of a shock move for Neymar Jr., it seems likely the slot will be saved for a summer transfer; more than likely, it would be used for a central midfielder. Kouamé is the tenth signing of the offseason, following David Poreba, Jack Elliott, Omari Glasgow, Dylan Borso, Dean Boltz, Philip Zinckernagel, Sam Rogers, Leonardo Barroso, and Jonathan Bamba.
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