TRADE: Chicago Fire Soccer Club Acquires Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni

CHICAGO (Jan.15, 2014) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that they have acquired defenders Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni and the 13th overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft from the Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for defender Jalil Anibaba, the eight overall selection in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional third round selection in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Adding Jhon, a former Defender of the Year finalist and  defensive All-Star, automatically makes our team better,” said Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. “Along with Patrick, we are adding valuable depth on the defensive side. While this trade addresses a key need, we thank Jalil for his time in Chicago and wish him all the best with his new club.”

Hurtado, a native of Palmira, Colombia, began his professional career in 2004 with Unión Magdalena and went on to appear in 121 matches in both the first and second divisions in his home country. Hurtado signed with the Sounders in 2009 and in his first MLS season, was named a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year and was selected as a MLS All-Star. In five seasons in Seattle, the 29-year-old defender has tallied 108 MLS Regular Season appearances, adding one goal and three assists. Hurtado started all 11 post-season matches in which he appeared for the Sounders.

A two-time MLS Cup champion with the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007, Ianni joins the Fire after five seasons with the Sounders. In 83 regular season matches for the Sounders, the Lodi, Calif., native scored three goals including a stunning volley against Sporting Kansas City on June 20, 2012 that was named the 2012 MLS Goal of the Year.

After a standout collegiate career at UCLA where he was nominated for the MAC Hermann Trophy Award in his junior season, Ianni was selected eighth overall by the Houston Dynamo in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. Ianni made 35 MLS appearances, scored one goal and added one assist while in Houston before he was traded to the Sounders prior to the start of the 2009 season. A U.S. Youth International, Ianni represented the United States in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Anibaba departs after three seasons with the Men in Red. Selected ninth overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Anibaba made 107 appearances across all competitions for the Fire, scoring five goals and adding five assists.