Chicago Fire Sign Ghanaian Forward David Accam

CHICAGO (December 19, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday that the club has signed Ghanaian striker David Accam. Accam will occupy a Designated Player slot and will be added to the Fire’s roster for the 2015 season pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and his P1 Visa. Per MLS and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“David is an exciting, creative player with a goal-scoring mentality,” said Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. “I’m pleased that David will be joining the Fire. He’s a key piece as we continue to build a deep squad in preparation for the 2015 season and we’re looking forward to having him on our team.”

Accam joins the Men in Red after spending the past three years with Swedish club Helsingborgs IF. Accam made his Allsvenskan debut for Di Röe on Aug. 18, 2012. In his next two matches, Accam scored the opening goals in a 2-1 loss to AIK on Sept. 2 and a 4-0 victory over GIF Sundsvall. Accam had seven multi-goal games, scoring 30 goals in 62 league matches, and scored an additional eight goals in 11 Svenska Cupen matches. In 2012, Accam made two UEFA Champions League and six UEFA Europa League appearances.

“I’m really excited to be a part of MLS and the Chicago Fire,” said Accam. “The commitment that the Fire showed me was the main reason I chose Chicago over other offers that I had. I would also like to thank the coach Frank Yallop and the owner Andrew Hauptman for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play for the Fire. I cannot wait to repay their faith.”

Born in Accra, Ghana, Accam began playing organized soccer in 2004 at the age of 12 when he was invited to attend the Right To Dream Academy.

Four years later, Accam departed for England on a academic scholarship to Hartpury College. In 2009, Accam signed with English side Ledbury Town of the Herefordshire Football League. After scoring in his debut, Accam scored five goals in eight appearances for The Friesians.  

He joined Southern League’s Evesham United Football Club for the 2010-11 season, scoring 10 goals in 20 matches.

In March 2012, Accam signed with Östersunds FK of the Swedish third division and scored in his second match with the club, a 2-2 draw with Vasalund. Accam scored eight goals in 13 league matches and a brace in a Svenska Cupen match before joining Helsingborgs in August.

“I’ve had an amazing journey in soccer so far, and I’m thankful to everyone and every club that has helped me along the way – Right to Dream, Hartpury College, Nike Academy, Ostersund and Helsingborg. I know that Chicago is going to be a great home for me, and I’m looking forward to giving everything I have to become part of the Fire family, with my teammates, the club staff and of course, the fans, especially Section 8.”

Accam received his first international call-up for the Black Stars’ FIFA World Cup Qualifying match against Sudan on March 24, 2013 and was a part of the 18-man roster for the match.