Chicago Fire lands European standout to spearhead revival under Gregg Berhalter | OneFootball

Chicago Fire FC are making quite the splash in the early part of the 2025 season, having signed Danish winger Philip Zinckernagel from Belgian side Club Brugge to a four-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. A transfer move of this magnitude redefines the club under new manager Gregg Berhalter, who enters his first season with the Fire.

European experience

In the case of Zinckernagel, it is no exaggeration to say that he brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having played in England, Belgium, Norway, and Greece, he has played almost 30 matches in top UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League. His numbers are just as impressive: 403 professional games, amassing 83 goals and 80 assists.

The most memorable experiences he has had on the pitch include winning two league titles in Norway during his time at Bodo/Glimt and earning Player of the Year honors in 2020. In addition to those honors in Norway, the Dane has also had successful stops with Watford, Nottingham Forest, Standard Liège, and Olympiacos.

A Chicago Fire in transformation

The Chicago Fire enter the 2025 season with new leadership and high expectations. First-year head coach Berhalter looks to build a competitive roster that can return to prominence in MLS. Zinckernagel is one of the key pieces, joining forward Hugo Cuypers, homegrown talent Brian Gutiérrez, and winger Maren Haile-Selassie in the attack.

The Fire's front office still holds two Designated Player slots and flexibility under the U22 Initiative, signaling the potential for more signings. But Zinckernagel's arrival is considered a big step toward improving the performance of the team.

High ambition and motivation

In his first comments as a Chicago Fire player, Zinckernagel expressed his excitement about the new challenge and praised the club’s forward-thinking vision. "The ambition and vision of the club for the future are really motivating, and I’m eager to help the team achieve its goals", said the Danish winger.

A challenging start ahead

The Chicago Fire will open the 2025 season on February 22 with a home date against the Columbus Crew. While the roster is still in flux, the task of integrating those new players and establishing a competitive identity falls to Berhalter.