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Chicago Fire FC Acquires 20-Year-Old Venezuelan Defender Miguel Angel Navarro

January 27, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Chicago Fire News Release

CHICAGO - Chicago Fire FC announced today that the Club has acquired 20-year-old Venezuelan defender Miguel Ángel Navarro via transfer from Deportivo La Guaira. Navarro will be added to the Fire's roster pending a medical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa. He is under contract with the Fire through the 2022 season with Club options for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

"Miguel is a promising, young left back with experience at the international level," said Chicago Fire FC Head Coach Raphael Wicky. "He can contribute on both ends of the field and has the potential to develop into a very solid player in this league."

Navarro, 20, has made more than 60 club appearances in Venezuela's top division since beginning his professional career in 2017. Internationally, he has earned nine caps for Venezuela at the youth national team level. In 2019, he made seven appearances (six starts) for the U-20 Venezuelan National Team during the South American U-20 Championship. Most recently, the defender made two appearances for Venezuela's U-23 team in the Pre-Olympic Tournament, featuring against Chile on Jan. 21 and Ecuador on Jan. 24.

In 2017, Navarro signed with Deportivo JBL del Zulia in Venezuela to begin his professional career. In his first year with the club, Navarro made 19 appearances (19 starts) at the left back position. After joining Deportivo La Guaira in 2018, the defender made 46 appearances in two seasons with the club, including an appearance in the 2019 Copa Libertadores.

Navarro will occupy an international roster slot on Chicago's 2020 roster.

The Fire will kick off the 2020 MLS season on the road versus reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC on March 1 at 2:00 p.m. CT (ESPN). The Fire will officially make its return to Soldier Field on Saturday, March 21 when the team hosts Atlanta United FC in its 2020 home opener at 2:30 p.m. CT (Univision).

Fans can secure a seat for the Fire's 2020 home opener, or any home game of the regular season, by calling 888-MLS-FIRE or by purchasing online. Additionally, season tickets for children ages 12-and-under are currently available for as low as $12.50 per game.

Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquires defender Miguel Ángel Navarro via transfer from Deportivo La Guaira.

Name: Miguel Ángel Navarro

Position: Defender

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 146 lbs.

Date of Birth: February 26, 1999

Hometown: Maracaibo, Venezuela

Birthplace: Maracaibo, Venezuela

Citizenship: Venezuela

Last Club: Deportivo La Guaira

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