BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.(May 3, 2019) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it has acquired Costa Rica National Team defender Francisco Calvo from Minnesota United FC in exchange for $400,000 in Allocation Money. He is under contract for the 2019 and 2020 seasons with Club options for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The Allocation Money includes $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2019 and $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2020. If Calvo meets certain performance milestones with the Fire, Minnesota United could receive an additional $125,000 in TAM. Additionally, Minnesota retains considerations for a percentage of a potential future transfer of Calvo outside of MLS.
“Acquiring Francisco’s talents and character is a big plus for our Club,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodrίguez. “He is a versatile defender with international experience in the prime of his career. He is familiar with MLS and has demonstrated a competitive mentality that should fit well with our group.”
Calvo, 26, joins the Fire with 240 professional appearances (232 starts) at the senior level. A native of San Jose, Costa Rica, he has made 60 appearances (60 starts) in MLS since joining Minnesota United FC ahead of the 2017 campaign. Calvo, who captained the Loons for each of its first three seasons in MLS, was the first Minnesota United player to be named to an MLS All-Star roster (2018). He was also named to the 2018 Concacaf Best XI, alongside Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls).
At the international level, Calvo has earned 46 caps for Costa Rica since making his senior team debut in 2011. During the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, he started in five straight matches for Costa Rica, helping to lead the team to a semifinal appearance against the U.S. Men’s National Team. The defender also featured in two matches for his home country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, starting and playing the full 90 minutes against Serbia before notching an appearance against Brazil in the Ticos’ second match of the tournament.
The versatile defender originally began his professional career with C.S. Herediano in the Costa Rica first division in 2011, before spending time with Perez Zeledon, Danish champions Nordsjælland, Santos de Guapiles and Deportivo Saprissa during a six-year span. In two seasons with Saprissa, Calvo became a set piece threat and scored 14 goals, including nine during the 2016-17 campaign. While anchoring the Saprissa backline, Calvo helped to guide the club to its 32nd league title in 2015, and the 2016 Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals.
Transaction: The Allocation Money includes $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2019 and $100,000 in General Allocation Money and $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2020. If Calvo meets certain performance milestones with the Fire, Minnesota United could receive an additional $125,000 in TAM. Additionally, Minnesota retains considerations for a percentage of a potential future transfer of Calvo outside of MLS.
Name: Francisco Calvo
Position: Defender
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Date of Birth: July 8, 1992
Birthplace: San Jose, Costa Rica
Citizenship: Costa Rica
Last Club: Minnesota United FC
