Chicago Fire announce signing of Gastón Giménez

It was on. Then it was off. Then it was back on again. And now, it’s official.

Chicago Fire FC announced today that the club has acquired holding midfielder Gastón Giménez. It comes via a transfer from Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina.

It’s a two-year deal for the 28-year-old, with a club option for the 2022 season.

Giménez is a hulking, dominant presence at the base of the midfield, who immediately fills the Fire’s biggest need. One source described him as “an absolute beast.”

“We are thrilled to acquire a player with the quality of Gastón Giménez,” said Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky in a statement. “Gastón has a great left foot and is very gifted in the technical and physical aspects of the game. In addition, his humility and desire to always give his best for the team will fit in very well with the culture that we are establishing here at the Fire. I am looking forward to welcoming him to Chicago and having him be a leader on our team.”

He’ll officially join the roster as a Designated Player pending a medical, and receipt of his Visa. Giménez will also occupy an international slot for the Fire. Once all the Fire’s new signings are officially added to the roster, the team will be over its limit of eight players occupying international slots. However, forward Elliot Collier’s green card is imminent, meaning he drops off that list once that clears.

It’s very unlikely Giménez will be cleared and ready to play this weekend in the MLS season opener in Seattle.

Giménez joins the Fire with more than 225 appearances across the last 10 seasons in Argentina. He joins from Superliga Argentina side Vélez Sarsfield, where he has made 47 appearances across all competitions since the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign. Additionally, at the international level, Giménez has earned one cap for Argentina’s senior team, featuring in a friendly against Mexico on Nov. 17, 2018.

He’s a native of Formosa, Argentina.

If you want to learn more about the Fire’s new No. 6, we wrote a piece about him back in January.