AVE MARIA, Fla. -- The Chicago Fire announced Monday that the club picked up the options on midfielders Alex and Michael Videira and re-signed Corben Bone.
While all three reported to Chicago for physicals last Friday, Bone began taking in a week and a half training stint with the club’s Team for the World Alliance partner Atletico Madrid on Monday.
The fourth-year Fire midfielder will re-join the team for the second phase of preseason on February 2 in Ventura, Calif.
“There were a number of reasons behind sending Corben to train with Atletico Madrid during the first phase of preseason camp,” said Fire Vice President of Soccer Operations Gui Petrei.
“The team is coming together for the first time, but given the number of trialists that are present during the first phase and the fact that Corben is very familiar with our core group, we felt it more advantageous for him to take in the experience at Atletico Madrid and then re-join the team for the second and third phases of preseason.
The club’s first round draft pick in 2010, the 24-year-old attacker has found it difficult to carve out space in the Fire lineup, making just 22 competitive appearances in three seasons.
While he hasn’t received consistent first team minutes during his Fire tenure, the former Generation adidas signee has still shown promise in U.S. Open Cup, MLS Reserve League play and international friendlies.
“We feel the opportunity to train in Madrid will give him momentum as he comes back to fight for a spot in our midfield,” concluded Petrei.
Bone becomes the third Fire player to take advantage of the club's Team for the World Alliance partnership with Atletico Madrid after defenders Jalil Anibaba and Austin Berry trained with the 2012 Europa League champions late last year.
