Uganda’s Azira joins Schweinsteiger at Chicago Fire

Uganda’s stellar performance at the 2019 African Nations Cup finals in Egypt has continued to make gains with another player having his services sought after.

This week, Montreal Impact and Cranes midfielder Mike Azira completed a move to Chicago Fire Soccer Club in the US Major League Soccer.

Chicago Fire is home to former Manchester United and Germany midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The club on Thursday officially announced the acquisition of Azira into their ranks

“The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announces that it has acquired midfielder Micheal Azira. He is under contract with the Fire through the 2019 season with a Club option for the 2020 season,” the club announced on their official website.

The club sent their defender, Jorge Corrales to Montreal Impact to be able to get the Ugandan holding midfielder in a swap deal.

“While it is difficult to part with Jorge, who has defended the club’s honor with all his might, acquiring Micheal provides us with more balance and options as we make our push for the playoffs,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodrίguez.

Describing him as an experienced defensive midfielder, the club said Azira’s addition into their ranks will greatly benefit them.

The 31-year-old Ugandan defensive midfielder has a six-year experience in the Major League Soccer that he joined in 2013 at Seattle Sounders FC and later joined Colorado Rapids from where he was taken by Montreal Impact.

In the period, he has made 120 league appearances, 97 of which are starts.

The midfielder played an integral part in Uganda’s extraordinary performance at the 2019 Afcon finals that saw them break the 41-year jinx of not leaving the group stages.