CHICAGO(Dec. 17, 2020) – Chicago Fire FC announced today that the Club has acquired up to $1,000,000 in General Allocation Money from the Montreal Impact in exchange for midfielder Djordje Mihailović. Chicago will receive $400,000 in 2021 GAM and $400,000 in 2022 GAM. The Fire will also receive up to $200,000 in future GAM if Mihailović meets certain performance-based metrics with the Impact. Additionally, in the event that Montreal permanently transfers Mihailović to a professional football club outside of MLS, the Fire will retain a percentage of the transfer fee.
“Djordje has represented the Fire for nearly a decade and was the first Academy player to break into the first team and consistently make an impact,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “While this was certainly a difficult decision, Djordje was entering the final year of his contract and was ready for a new challenge. Throughout this entire process, we have worked with him and his team to find a solution that would be beneficial for the player and the Club. We are appreciative of all that he has given to the Fire over the last seven years and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
A native of Lemont, Ill., Mihailović originally became the Club’s ninth Homegrown Player signing on Jan. 27, 2017. In four seasons with the Fire, the midfielder tallied seven goals and 15 assists in 73 appearances (45 starts) in MLS play. Mihailović earned his first call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team and tallied a goal in his first-ever appearance for the USMNT on Jan. 27, 2019.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fans and the Chicago Fire Football Club for the support you have given me,” said Mihailović. “It has truly been a privilege to play for you. I wish everyone in Chicago continued success.”
Prior to signing a professional contract with the Fire, Mihailović represented the Fire at the Academy and PDL levels. As a 16-year-old, Mihailović was instrumental in the Fire’s 2015 Under-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship run. He scored a brace in the Fire’s 4-2 extra time win over the Montreal Impact in the semifinal round, then earned the start in the final as the Fire defeated Real Salt Lake Arizona by a score of 3-1, capturing the second USSDA national championship in Club history.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquires up to $1,000,000 in General Allocation Money from the Montreal Impact in exchange for midfielder Djordje Mihailović. Chicago will receive $400,000 in 2021 GAM and $400,000 in 2022 GAM from the Montreal Impact. Chicago will also receive up to $200,000 in future General Allocation Money if Mihailović meets certain performance-based metrics with the Impact. Additionally, in the event that Montreal permanently transfers Mihailović to a professional football club outside of MLS, the Fire will retain a percentage of the transfer fee.
