Jairo Torres joins Chicago Fire - 2nd most expensive signing arrives from Atlas

This article first appeared on Feb. 17 and was updated when the transfer was made official. 

Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire have signed 21-year-old Mexican winger Jairo Torres from Liga MX club Atlas. Transfermarkt understands that Chicago Fire have paid the player's $6 million release clause. Torres will join on May 1, 2021 and sign a contract through 2025.

“Jairo checks all the boxes that we were looking for in a Young Designated Player, and we’re very pleased to acquire his services ahead of the Club’s 25th season in MLS,” Chicago Fire FC sporting director Georg Heitz said in a club statement. “Jairo has been one of the most productive young players in Liga MX and was an integral part of Atlas’ championship-winning team in 2021."

After already securing Xherdan Shaqiri, Torres would be another significant addition for the Chicago Fire. The 21-year-old has featured in 27 games for Atlas this season scoring two goals and three assists and helping his club win a historical Liga MX title at the end of 2021.

 

Jairo Torres joins Chicago - Just behind record signing Shaqiri 

Torres' fee is just $2 million short of what the club paid for record signing Shaqiri earlier this winter. It is also more than twice Torres' current market value of $2.75 million. The Mexican winger will be expected to sign a Young Designated Player contract once he passes his medical and receives his visa to play in the United States.