Teenage keeper Slonina joins Chelsea before returning to Chicago 'very proud'
Gaga Slonina joined Chelsea on a six-year contract before returning to the Chicago Fire on loan until January.
The 18-year-old has established himself as the most exciting young goalkeeper in MLS since making his debut for Fire last August.
The then 17-year-old Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to start a game in MLS history by keeping a clean sheet in a draw with New York City FC.
>Slonina has gone on to keep 13 clean sheets in 34 appearances and is Chicago's first-choice guard, playing every minute of the 2022 campaign.
The United States youth international, who rejected a senior call-up from Poland in May, will play the rest of the season in Illinois before joining a Chelsea goalkeeping squad that includes Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea reportedly paid an initial fee of £8.2m ($10m) for Slonina, although that fee could be as high as £12.3m ($15m).
Firefighter Athletic Director Georg Heitz said in a statement: "We are very proud and happy to see Gaga reach this defining moment in her career.
"Since joining the club, Gaga has embodied what it means to be a Chicago Fire player.
"In addition to his incredible talent, he is mature beyond his years, extremely hardworking and a fantastic teammate.
"Gaga is a role model for many aspiring young footballers in Chicago, and this transfer demonstrates that a player can progress to our academy's first team before joining one of the biggest clubs in the world."< /p>
Slonina added, "I joined this club [the Fire] with the ambition to play at the highest level, and it was a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey.
"This club has become my second home, my second family, and there are so many people who have played an important role in helping me get to where I am today.
“I am so grateful for all the support I have received from my family, my coaches, my teammates and everyone associated with the club. between you."
Gaga Slonina joined Chelsea on a six-year contract before returning to the Chicago Fire on loan until January.
The 18-year-old has established himself as the most exciting young goalkeeper in MLS since making his debut for Fire last August.
The then 17-year-old Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to start a game in MLS history by keeping a clean sheet in a draw with New York City FC.
>Slonina has gone on to keep 13 clean sheets in 34 appearances and is Chicago's first-choice guard, playing every minute of the 2022 campaign.
The United States youth international, who rejected a senior call-up from Poland in May, will play the rest of the season in Illinois before joining a Chelsea goalkeeping squad that includes Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea reportedly paid an initial fee of £8.2m ($10m) for Slonina, although that fee could be as high as £12.3m ($15m).
Firefighter Athletic Director Georg Heitz said in a statement: "We are very proud and happy to see Gaga reach this defining moment in her career.
"Since joining the club, Gaga has embodied what it means to be a Chicago Fire player.
"In addition to his incredible talent, he is mature beyond his years, extremely hardworking and a fantastic teammate.
"Gaga is a role model for many aspiring young footballers in Chicago, and this transfer demonstrates that a player can progress to our academy's first team before joining one of the biggest clubs in the world."< /p>
Slonina added, "I joined this club [the Fire] with the ambition to play at the highest level, and it was a dream come true to wear the Chicago Fire jersey.
"This club has become my second home, my second family, and there are so many people who have played an important role in helping me get to where I am today.
“I am so grateful for all the support I have received from my family, my coaches, my teammates and everyone associated with the club. between you."
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