Chicago Fire Sign Forward Paulo Wanchope

Costa Rica second-leading scorer added to 28-man roster as a Senior International

 

BRIDGEVIEW, IL (July 27, 2007) – Chicago Fire Soccer announced today the signing of Costa Rican international Paulo Wanchope (pronounced wahn-CHO-pay) and as a result of the signing, the Fire have now filled all four Senior International slots on the team’s 28-man full roster. Per Major League Soccer (MLS) and team policy, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 

“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.