CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2018) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Tuesday that the club has acquired Serbian midfielder Aleksandar Katai on loan from Spanish La Liga side Deportivo Alavés. The deal includes an option to purchase the player outright and to extend the MLS contract. Katai will be added to the Fire roster upon receipt of his ITC and P1 Visa.
“Aleksandar should make our attack more diversified,” stated Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodríguez. “He has the ability to turn a game on a single play whether it be off the dribble, with a pass or cross or even on set pieces. His desire to triumph should also fit well in our locker room.”
Watch: Katai Highlight Reel
Katai has appeared in 23 matches for Deportivo Alavés since joining their club on Aug. 30, 2016. He has three goals and four assists for the La Liga side. Prior to that, Katai was the leading scorer in the Serbian SuperLiga with 21 goals during the 2015-16 season. The 27-year-old initially joined Red Star Belgrade on loan for the 2014-15 campaign, then secured a permanent transfer in June 2015. He amassed 31 goals and 15 assists in 68 games across all competitions for Red Star.
“I am excited to join my new teammates and for the opportunity to work with Veljko Paunovic and the rest of the coaching staff,” said Katai. “We will do everything to win a championship for the city and our supporters, and I can’t wait to score in front of our fans.”
Katai made his Serbian SuperLiga debut for FK Vojvodina in March 2010. He scored six goal in 29 league appearances before departing for Greece in June 2011, joining Superleague side Olympiacos F.C. Katai appeared in two matches on loan for OFI Crete before re-joining Vojvodina on loan in 2011.
In his second stint in Serbia, Katai scored six goals in 31 matches from 2011-13. Katai returned to Greece for the 2013-14 season on loan with Platanias F.C. where he scored eight goals in 24 appearances.
Born in Srbobran, Serbia, Katai made his senior international debut on Nov. 13, 2015 in a friendly against the Czech Republic. Katai has since earned six total caps for Serbia, and appeared in four matches during the most recent 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign.
Transaction: Chicago Fire acquire midfielder Aleksandar Katai on loan from Deportivo Alavés
Name: Aleksandar Katai
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’
Weight: 155
Date of Birth: Feb. 6, 1991
Birthplace: Srbobran, Serbia
Citizenship: Serbian
Last Club: Deportivo Alavés (ESP)
