Chicago Fire sign forward Wanchope
"I think the Paulo Wanchope can only be good news for everyone involved with the club," said Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "Paulo is a very experienced striker, and has scored goals at all levels. I think he will improve our attacking force and hopefully he will be someone challenging the rest of the strikers on the starting line, helping us score more goals, winning more matches, and achieving our goal of making the playoffs."
Wanchope began his career with Club Sport Herediano (1994-97), before moving on to England to play with Derby County (1997-1999), West Ham United (1999-00), and Manchester City (2000-04), where he played under Osorio. Wanchope has since seen stints with Malaga CF (2004-05), Al-Gharrafa Sports Club (2005), CS Herediano (2006), Rosario Central (2006), and most recently FC Tokyo (2007). The Costa Rican international is his country's second all-time leading goal scorer and has played in the 2000 and 2002 Gold Cups, as well as the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.
"Paulo Wanchope is a proven goal-scorer, and his presence on the field will have an immediate impact as we enter the second half of the season," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "I'm sure he will gel very well with the rest of the team on the field and in the locker-room and we welcome him to the Chicago Fire."
"I'm very happy to make the decision to come here," said Wanchope. "I know Juan Carlos from a long time ago, so I know he's a very good professional and a very good coach. The setup here in Chicago will help me regain my level of the game. The interest to come here was to have a new experience, and I have to be honest, I saw the connection with Juan Carlos and that was the key."
Wanchope League Record
Club Season Matches Goals FC Tokyo 2007 12 2 Rosario Central Apertura 2006 14 6 Club Sport Herediano 2006 10 3 Al-Gharrafa 2005-2006 6 2 Malaga CF 2004-2005 25 6 Manchester City 2003-2004 22 6 Manchester City 2002-2003 0 0 Manchester City 2001-2002 15 12 Manchester City 2000-2001 27 9 West Ham United 1999-2000 35 12 Derby County 1998-1999 35 9 Derby County 1997-1998 32 13 Derby County 1996-1997 5 1 Club Sport Herediano 1996-1997 -- 11 Club Sport Herediano 1995-1996 -- 9 Club Sport Herediano 1994-1995 -- 0
TRANSACTION: CHICAGO FIRE sign Costa Rica forward Paulo Wanchope.
