CHICAGO (Dec. 6, 2021) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has signed defender Miguel Navarro to a new contract. Navarro is under contract with the Fire through the 2024 season with a Club option for 2025.
Navarro, 22, will not occupy an international slot on the Club’s 2022 roster after receiving his U.S. Green Card on March 4, 2021.
“Signing Miguel to a new contract was a priority for us as we believe that he has outperformed his initial deal over the past two seasons,” said Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Since arriving to the Club, Miguel has adjusted well to the demands of the league and has worked hard to consistently earn his place in the starting lineup. With our philosophy toward developing young players, we’re confident that Miguel will continue to make progress while helping the team achieve its goals.”
Navarro was originally acquired by the Fire on Jan. 25, 2020, from Deportivo La Guaira in the Venezuelan first division. Since joining the Club, the Venezuelan defender has made 47 appearances (35 starts), including an MLS career-high 28 appearances (25 starts) in 2021.
At the international level, Navarro earned his first-ever call up to the senior Venezuela National Team for a pair of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in October 2020, during his inaugural MLS campaign with the Fire. Additionally, Navarro has made 11 appearances for Venezuela at the U-20 and U-23 level, competing in the 2019 South American U-20 Championship and the 2020 Pre-Olympic Tournament.
The Fire will kick off its 25th season in MLS on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Inter Miami CF (5:00 p.m. CT), before playing its 2022 home opener on Saturday, March 5 against Orlando City SC at Soldier Field. Scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. CT, the match against Orlando City will mark the earliest home opener in Club history.
Season tickets for the 2022 campaign are currently available for purchase here. The complete 2022 regular season schedule will be announced at a later date.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC signs defender Miguel Navarro through the 2024 season with a Club option for the 2025 season.
