Zimpapers Logo

CHICAGO. — Bastian Schweinsteiger admits he is sad to be leaving after Manchester United agreed to let the German midfielder join American Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire. The MLS club are offering him a one-year contract worth £70 000 a week — which will make him one of the 10 highest-paid players in the MLS — after agreeing a deal with United late on Monday night.

Schweinsteiger is still in the United Kingdom and will jet out to Chicago to complete a medical once he obtains a work permit and a working visa.

“I am sad to leave so many friends at Manchester United,” Schweinsteiger told United’s official website. “But I am grateful to the club for allowing me the chance to take up the challenge at Chicago Fire.

“I have enjoyed working with the manager, the players and staff here and wish them all the best in the future. But I have to reserve special thanks to the United fans – whose support has been a very special part of my time in Manchester.

“I was delighted to be part of the squad that won the FA Cup for them last season and will always remember their energy and their passion. Now is the right time for me to start a new chapter in Chicago and I am looking forward to it.”

Schweinsteiger, a key member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team, heads to the United States after an unhappy stint with Manchester United, where he has been frozen out by manager Jose Mourinho.

The 32-year-old could finalise his move to the United States by next week pending a visa application, the Tribune reported on its website.

“We’re adding someone who has won at every level, including the very highest levels, and has done so in a way that is consistent with our values,” Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez was quoted as saying.

“We as a club will now be forced to hold ourselves to a higher standard, an accountability level.

“Previously, I think we could satisfy ourselves with what is known domestically. Now we need to rise to a standard that is set more internationally.”

Schweinsteiger played his entire club career with German giant Bayern Munich before joining Manchester United in 2015.

The Tribune cited an unidentified club source as saying that Schweinsteiger had signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, a salary that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the MLS.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always sought opportunities where I hoped to make a positive impact and to help make something great,” Schweinsteiger said in a statement quoted by the Tribune.

“My move to Chicago Fire is no different. Through my conversations with Nelson and (Veljko Paunovic), I’m convinced by the club’s vision and philosophy and I want to help them with this project.” — AFP