Press Release

Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm

kenneth kronholm announcement

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (May 7, 2019) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it has acquired veteran goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm from 2. Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel. Kronholm is under contract through the 2021 season with a Club option for the 2022 season.


“Kenneth is a player that we have scouted and pursued at length,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. “We believe his talents fit our game model very well and he was really committed to joining our Club. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to Chicago.


Born in Fort Belvoir, Va., Kronholm, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Germany, has spent the past 14 seasons competing in various leagues in Germany. Since making his professional debut in 2005, Kronholm, 33, has made 326 professional appearances and notched 91 clean sheets across all competitions. His career highlights include double-digit clean sheets in four consecutive seasons, including a career high 19 clean sheets in the 2014-15 3. Liga campaign with Holstein Kiel.


An experienced goalkeeper, Kronholm joins the Fire after spending the past five seasons with Holstein Kiel. In the 2016-17 season, he helped the German club earn promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, tallying 17 clean sheets in 39 appearances (39 starts) across all competitions. Most recently, Kronholm appeared in 30 matches in the 2018-19 season, tallying six clean sheets.


Transaction: The Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquires goalkeeper Kenneth Kronholm on May 7, 2019.


Name: Kenneth Kronholm
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 183 lbs.
Date of Birth: Oct. 14, 1985
Birthplace: Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Citizenship: United States of America, Germany
Last Club: Holstein Kiel