MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Signs Midfielder John Thorrington

Published on January 11, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Tuesday, January 11, 2005) - The Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer today announced the signing of former U.S. Men's National Team midfielder John Thorrington to a multiyear contract with the Fire. Per MLS policy, details of the contract were not disclosed. The Fire used a portion of the allocation due to the club from the League for not making the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs to sign the right-flank specialist.

"It has been a bit of time since [Fire Head Coach] Dave Sarachan made the initial contact, but ever since then I've been very excited about the prospect of joining the Fire. I'm very excited for the upcoming season and the opportunity to play in Chicago," said Thorrington. "Over the years I've kept tabs on what has been happening in MLS through friends and former teammates, and I've kept up some knowledge of what has been going on here. I wasn't planning on coming back as soon as I have, but once this offer came up I gave it strong consideration and feel that it is definitely the right place for me to be both personally and professionally at this stage."

Prior to returning to America with the Fire, the 25-year-old Thorrington spent his entire professional career in Europe, beginning in 1997 when the then 17-year-old became the youngest American to ever sign with a team in the English Premiership after signing with famed club Manchester United. Despite never suiting up for United's first team, Thorrington trained and played with the club's reserve team for three years, and followed that with a year-long stint in German powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen's reserve system in 2000, where he played alongside former San Jose Earthquakes star Landon Donovan. Thorrington would move up to first team soccer in 2001 when he joined English Division One side Huddersfield Town, where he would suit up 67 times and notch seven goals in three years of play in the English first and second divisions. After transferring to Grimsby Town of the Coca Cola Football League Two in March of 2004, Thorrington saw action in seven matches (two starts) over the final two months of 2003/2004 season.

"John is a talented young player who's had some tough breaks along the way," said Fire GM Peter Wilt. "We are confident that he will make the most of this new opportunity in Chicago."

During his time overseas, the Palos Verde, CA native was also an active part of the U.S. Men's National Team system, playing with both the U.S. Under-20 and Under-23 squads before earning his first - and only - appearance with the senior team on June 7, 2001 as a second half substitute in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH. Despite helping the U.S. Under-23 Team through the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2000, Thorrington was forced to miss the team's appearance in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia after suffering a hamstring injury in the build-up to the tournament. After gaining his U.S. citizenship in January of 1999, Thorrington would score one goal in nine games (six starts) with the U.S. U-20s that year, including appearances in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championships in Nigeria.

"We are very excited to have John join us in Chicago," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "I have known and kept an eye on John for several years when I have traveled overseas, and I feel that he'll be a tremendous addition to not only our team as a right sided player, but to our League as well. I have no doubt that he will make a great contribution to our club."

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