Nicolás Gaitán

How he joined the Club: Acquired via free transfer from Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang on March 14, 2019 with Discretionary Targeted Allocation Money (DTAM) and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

2019 (CHICAGO FIRE): Gaitán made 27 appearances (25 starts) in his first year with the Club … Recorded four goals and 12 assists as a midfielder … His 12 assists were the most on the team in 2019 …  Awarded Man of the Match on July 3 for his goal and three assists against Atlanta United FC. Made his MLS debut with the Chicago Fire on March 30 in a win against the New York Red Bulls.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Gaitán joined the Fire with a wealth of experience at the professional level, including 274 league appearances and 42 goals in the top divisions in Argentina, Portugal, Spain and China. In 2008 Gaitán began his professional career with Boca Juniors, making his debut after two seasons with Boca Juniors, making 65 appearances (31 starts), scoring 12 goals in league play. In 2010, Gaitán was transferred to Portuguese team Benfica. Within his first season with the club, Gaitan was named the Portuguese League’s Breakthrough Player of the Year after helping his team secure the Portuguese League Cup. Across six seasons (2010-16) at Benfica, he compiled 152 league appearances and won three Primeira Liga titles, five Portuguese League Cups and one Taça de Portugal trophy. Additionally, Gaitán made a career high for games played, 68 appearances (14 starts) during his time with Benfica in the 2011-12 competition. After six seasons with Benfica, Gaitán joined La Liga club Atlético Madrid ahead of the 2016-17 campaign. In two seasons Gaitán made 29 appearances and was featured in nine Champions League matches. In February 2018, Gaitán joined Chinese side Dalian Yifang. He made 28 appearances (28 starts) for the club.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER: At the international level, Gaitán has earned 19 caps for the Argentina National Team since making his senior-team debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Ghana on Sept. 30, 2009. Most recently, Gaitán appeared in five matches for Argentina during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying and three matches during the 2016 Copa America Centenario.