The Chicago Fire made a major acquisition to their attacking front heading into the 2024 MLS season.
Hugo Cuypers joined the Eastern Conference club as a Designated Player from Belgian first division side Gent. Cuypers signed a three-year contract with the Fire through 2026, which includes a club option for 2027.
“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Hugo Cuypers to the Club,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “We have been very focused on acquiring a striker in the prime of their career with a proven track record of scoring goals in a very competitive league. Hugo has been one of the leading goal-scorers in the Belgian first division over the last few seasons, and despite receiving interest from other teams, he had a very strong desire to join the Fire and help us achieve our goal of becoming one of the top clubs in MLS.”
The 26-year-old totaled 64 goals and 25 assists in 126 appearances across all competitions in Belgium. Cuypers earned Jupiler Pro League Golden Boot honors in 2022-23 after leading the league with 34 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions, including 20 goals in 33 league matches.
Prior to his move to Gent, Cuypers also featured for Standard Liège, RFC Seraing, Ergotelis F.C., AC Ajaccio, Mechelen, and Olympiacos.
Here is a closer look at all of the recent MLS News:
CF Montreal signs veteran Josef Martinez
Venezuelan striker Josef Martínez is staying in the Eastern Conference.
Martinez joined CF Montreal on a one-year deal as a free agent signing. The Canadian club used Targeted Allocation Money to bring the 30-year-old to Montreal.
Martinez originally made the move to MLS with Atlanta United in 2017, spending six seasons there. The Venezuelan international lifted MLS Cup with the Five Stripes in 2018 while also earning U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup honors in 2019.
Martinez totaled 103 league goals for the Five Stripes before making the move to Inter Miami in 2023. He scored seven goals and added one assist in 27 league appearances for the Herons, helping Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup.
Martinez has earned 66 caps to date for Venezuela, taking part in four separate editions of the Copa America tournament.
NYCFC adds goalkeeper Tomas Romero
New York City FC bolstered their goalkeeping options in the form of Tomás Romero.
The El Salvadoran international goalkeeper joined NYCFC on a one-year deal Tuesday through the 2024 season. Romero’s contract also includes two option years through 2026.
“We are excited to welcome Tomás to New York to round out our goalkeeping group ahead of the new season,” Sporting Director David Lee said. “Tomás is a talented goalkeeper with a strong resume for someone of his age, having already gained MLS and international experience with El Salvador. Tomás will add competition to an already strong core of goalkeepers at New York City FC and we’re looking forward to helping him to continue to develop.”
The 23-year-old arrives in New York with 24 career MLS starts under his belt. He previously played for both for LAFC and Toronto FC in his career, tallying four clean sheets.
Since debuting for El Salvador in 2021, Romero has earned 17 caps, including featuring in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Charlotte FC sells Vinicius Mello to Cukaricki FC
Charlotte FC opened a spot in their attacking corps ahead of the new league campaign.
Vinicius Mello has joined Serbian club FK Cukaricki on a permanent transfer, the clubs announced Tuesday. Mello, who joined Charlotte in 2021 from Brazilian side Internacional, appeared in three MLS matches.
He also featured in 11 MLS NEXT Pro matches for Crown Legacy FC.
Mello’s departure opens a U22 initiative slot on Charlotte’s roster.
Quick Kicks:
- Robin Jansson signed a contract extension with Orlando City through the 2025 MLS season, the club announced. The 32-year-old is entering his sixth season with the Lions after joining from AIK in his native Sweden. Jansson has made 134 league appearances for Orlando City to date.
- FC Dallas parted ways with forward Jesus Jimenez on Tuesday, the club announced. The 30-year-old joined Dallas in 2023 and proceeded to feature in 23 MLS matches for the Texas-based club.
- The Houston Dynamo added creativity to their midfield with free agent Jan Gregus signing for the club. Gregus has totaled three goals and 24 assists in 102 league appearances during previous stops at Minnesota United, San Jose Earthquakes, and Nashville SC.
- Belal Halbouni became the newest member of the Vancouver Whitecaps squad. The 24-year-old defender most recently played for FC Magdeburg II and also featured for Werder Bremen II.
- CF Montreal loaned forward Chinonso Offor to Bulgarian side FC Arda Kardzhali for the 2024 campaign. Offor scored five goals and added two assists in 64 league appearances for CF Montreal and the Chicago Fire.
- Austin FC signed veteran striker Diego Rubio to a one-year contract, the club announced. Rubio, 30, has accumulated 53 goals and 34 assists across 165 MLS matches between prior stops in Colorado and Kansas City.
- Sporting KC signed 2024 first round draft pick Ryan Schewe through the 2024 MLS season with options from 2025-27, the club announced. Schewe earned Big East Goalkeeper of the Year honors last season at Georgetown University.
- NYCFC added defensive flexibility with Strahinja Tanasijević joining from Serbian top-flight side Spartak Subotica. Tanasijevic has featured in 102 matches to date in his club career, which also featured stints in Italy, France, among others.
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