Striker David Accam averaged nearly a goal every two games in his last stop, the kind of offensive punch the Chicago Fire now hope he’ll replicate here.
The Fire announced on Friday they’ve signed the 24-year-old Ghanian and rising soccer star, confirming earlier reports that they were in pursuit.
A team source said Accam was also targeted by an unspecified number of English Premier League clubs but opted for a multi-million dollar, multi-year Designated Player deal with the Fire. Specific terms were not disclosed.
“David is an exciting, creative player with a goal-scoring mentality,” said Fire coach Frank Yallop in a statement. “He’s a key piece as we continue to build a deep squad in preparation for the 2015 season and we’re looking forward to having him on our team.”
The Fire scored 41 goals in 34 games last season, fourth fewest among Major League Soccer’s 19 teams.
Accam spent the past three seasons with Swedish club Helsingborgs IF, scoring 30 goals in 62 league games plus another eight in 11 Svenska Cupen games.
“I’m really excited to be a part of MLS and the Chicago Fire,” Accam said in a statement. “The commitment that the Fire showed me was the main reason I chose Chicago over other offers that I had.”
He also played for Ledbury Town of England’s Herefordshire Football League (2009), scored 10 goals in 20 matches with the Southern League’s Evesham United in 2010-11 and then joined Ostersunds FK of the Swedish third division (2012).
Earlier Friday, MLS revealed three early Fire opponents for 2015 with the announcement of the league’s home opening games and dates.
The Fire kick off their 18th MLS season on Friday, March 6 at reigning the MLS champion LA Galaxy and play their home opener on Saturday, March 14 against Vancouver. They’ll then help open San Jose’s new stadium with a March 22 match at the Earthquakes’ Avaya Stadium.
Full schedules will be released at a later date.
Copyright © 2014,
Chicago Tribune