CHICAGO (May 5, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has acquired Chicagoland native and winger Chris Mueller on a free transfer from Scottish Premier League club, Hibernian F.C.
To acquire the MLS priority for Mueller, the Fire sent $500,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) – $250,000 in 2022 GAM and $250,000 in 2023 GAM – to Orlando City SC. Additionally, Orlando City will receive the Fire’s natural first round selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft and the MLS discovery rights to an unnamed player. Orlando will also retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Mueller and could receive an additional $150,000 in GAM if he achieves certain performance-based metrics with the Fire.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Chris back to his hometown,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Chris is a player who we are very familiar with and his addition, along with the recent arrival of Jairo Torres, will immediately provide more quality and attacking options to the squad.”
Mueller, 25, is under contract with the Fire through the 2025 season with a Club option for 2026. The Schaumburg, Ill., native will participate in his first training session as a member of the Chicago Fire at 10:00 a.m. CT today and will be available for selection in Saturday’s away match against Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A product of Sockers FC Chicago, Mueller comes to the Fire with 141 professional appearances across all competitions in MLS and the Scottish Premier League. The winger originally began his professional career five years ago upon being selected by Orlando City as the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
In 126 appearances across all competitions with Orlando, Mueller scored 22 goals and notched 20 assists across four seasons. In 2020, Mueller tallied a career-high 10 goals to lead Orlando in scoring, while also posting seven assists, guiding the Lions to its first-ever MLS postseason berth.
Following his time in Orlando, Mueller joined Hibernian F.C. in January 2022 on a free transfer. Overall, he made 15 appearances across all competitions for the Scottish side. At the international level, Mueller has earned two caps (one start) with the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring two goals in a 6-0 friendly win over El Salvador on Sept. 12, 2020.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquire winger Chris Mueller on a free transfer from Scottish Premier League club, Hibernian F.C.
Name: Chris Mueller
Position: Winger
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 163 lbs.
Date of Birth: Aug. 29, 1996
Hometown: Schaumburg, Illinois
Birthplace: Schaumburg, Illinois
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: Hibernian F.C.
