Xherdan Shaqiri no longer plays in the Chicago jersey
Keystone
Xherdan Shaqiri is free for a new club. Chicago Fire announces the termination of the contract with the 32-year-old Swiss.
The early separation is in the interest of all parties, current sporting director Georg Heitz was quoted as saying in the club’s statement. Shaqiri’s contract would have expired at the end of the season, although in the USA the season lasts from spring to autumn. Where the attacking midfielder will end up is still unclear.
Shaqiri joined Major League Soccer from Lyon in 2022. At Chicago, he was the most expensive transfer in the club’s history and one of the highest-earning players in the league. In 75 games, he scored 16 goals and assisted 20 more. Shaqiri was quoted as saying that the time had now come for him to “explore new opportunities.”
Return to FC Basel?
The early departure comes as no surprise. During the preparation for the European Championship, the 125-time international, who has since retired, had let it be known that he was not happy with the situation in Chicago. The club clearly missed the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 and is also in the lower region of the table this season.
But where is the 32-year-old Shaqiri headed? Is a return to FC Basel realistic? After all, Shaqiri played 130 games for FC Basel between 2009 and 2012. FCB sports director Daniel Stucki confirmed to blue Sport in July: “It is clear that there is always interest in Xherdan Shaqiri with his qualities as a footballer. When the time is right and the moment is right for the player and the club, then we are always interested in a player like that.”
FCB sports director Stucki on the season goals, transfer income and a possible Shaqiri return
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