CHICAGO (Dec. 27, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has acquired Swiss winger Maren Haile-Selassie on loan from Swiss Super League club FC Lugano through the 2023 season with an option to purchase. Haile-Selassie will occupy an international spot on the Fire’s roster pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per Club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to welcome Maren to the Fire and look forward to integrating him into the group,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “We have watched his development during the past year at FC Lugano and believe that he will be a great fit in Chicago and provide us pace on the wings, which is a priority for us this offseason.”
Overall, Haile-Selassie has appeared in 199 matches across all competitions and leagues in Switzerland, including 63 appearances in the Super League and 70 appearances in the Challenge League. Born in Switzerland to Ethiopian parents, Haile-Selassie has represented the Switzerland National Team at the U-18, U-19 and U-20 levels.
Additionally, Haile-Selassie was a key part of FC Lugano’s 2022 Swiss Super League Championship team, scoring a goal in the 4-1 victory against St. Gallen in the Swiss Cup Final. The young winger originally joined FC Lugano on Dec. 20, 2021, from Swiss Club Neuchatel Xamax.
Haile-Selassie made his professional debut for FC Zürich against Thun on July 30, 2017. Prior to making the jump to the FC Zürich first team, Haile-Selasse made 65 appearances for the club at the U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels. In 2019, he was loaned to Rapperswil-Jona where he played 18 matches and scored two goals. The following year, he joined Neuchâtel Xamax for the 2019-2020 season (24 appearances, one goal) and Wil for the 2020-2021 season (35 appearances, seven goals) on loan from Zürich. He signed with Neuchâtel Xamax for the 2021-2022 season before joining FC Lugano in December.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquire midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie on loan from FC Lugano for 2023 season.
Name: Maren Haile-Selassie
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 165
Date of Birth: March 13, 1999
Hometown: Zürich, Switzerland
Birthplace: Zürich, Switzerland
Citizenship: Switzerland
Last Club: FC Lugano
