Sources: Fire II Finalizing Claudio Cassano Deal
Italian midfielder Claudio Cassano is close to joining the Chicago Fire on a second team deal, sources tell MIR97 Media. The 21-year-old is currently with Cittadella in Serie B.
Cassano was first linked with the Fire earlier this afternoon by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio. However, he will only sign an MLS Next Pro deal – not a first team contract, as suggested out of Italy.
Cassano is a product of AS Roma's academy and is currently valued by Transfermarkt at €1.2 million. He has made 40 career Serie B appearances, contributing 4 goals and 3 assists. Presumably, he will instantly become a key player for Fire II, who needed a midfield replacement for Javi Casas, whose contract expired at the end of last season. Cassano can play in central midfield, attacking midfield, or on the wing.
According to Di Marzo, Fire Head Coach Gregg Berhalter first discovered Cassano last season while scouting Venezia's Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann for the U.S. Men's National Team. Cittadella lost to Venezia 2-0 in their meeting last February, but Cassano's performance seemingly stuck with Berhalter, as is now seeking to bring him to his next club.
Cassano is the third confirmed addition for Fire II this offseason, following Sam Williams and Olu Oyegunle, though the latter is still yet to be announced. Presumably, Cassano will partner Williams and Sergio Oregel in midfield for Fire II, with first team trainee Harold Osorio, as well as first teamers Dylan Borso and David Poreba, also providing options in the position. The playing philosophy of new Fire II boss Mike Matkovich is still unknown, but the team is expected to play a similar style to Berhalter's first team.
Should Cassano ever play for the Fire first team, he would become just the second Italian national to ever do so. Paolo Tornaghi is the other, making nine appearances for the club over a decade ago. Fire II were captained by Italian-American Carlo Ritaccio for the club's inaugural season in 2022.
Read more:
https://meninred97.com/sources-chicago-fire-ii-sign-olu-oyegunle/
https://meninred97.com/chicago-fire-announce-jonathan-bamba-signing/
