NEWS: Chicago Fire Re-sign Lovel Palmer

CHICAGO (Oct. 29, 2014) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that defender Lovel Palmer has re-signed with the Fire. Per MLS and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re pleased that Lovel will remain a part of this club,” said Fire head coach Frank Yallop. “He was an asset to the backline this past year and he’s a passionate, dedicated individual that will be key for us moving forward.”

Palmer joined the Fire on Dec. 13, 2013 after one season with Real Salt Lake. Starting 29 of the 30 MLS matches in which he appeared, Palmer tallied an assist against Toronto FC on Aug. 23 and scored his first goal in a Fire shirt, also against Toronto FC, on Sept. 13.

“It’s a great feeling, I’m excited to be here,” said Palmer. “It’s a great franchise and we have something here that I think is worth staying for to help build a nice program. It shows that my work this season didn’t go unnoticed. I sat down with the technical staff and discussed this, and there weren’t any doubts or second guesses in my mind whether to re-sign or not. The fans, the city, everything about Chicago makes me feel at home. It was a no-brainer for me to re-sign with the Fire.”

Selected by RSL in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 14, 2012, Palmer made 17 appearances and tallied one assist in regular season play, and made three post-season appearances as RSL reached the 2013 MLS Cup.

The Mandeville, Jamaica product began his professional career with Jamaican First Division side Harbour View FC in 1999, appearing in 143 matches. Palmer joined MLS in March 2010 when he was signed by the Houston Dynamo. In one-and-a-half seasons with the Dynamo, Palmer scored three goals and tallied one assist across 45 appearances. On July 21, 2011, Palmer was traded to the Portland Timbers where he would appear 34 times and tally one assist.

A Jamaican youth international, Palmer made his senior national team debut in 2005 and has since earned 24 caps.