Reports: Chicago Fire Signing Jonathan Bamba

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Joe Chatz | Last updated Jan 16, 2025 4:35 PM ET

The Chicago Fire are heading down to Florida for their preseason camp, but that hasn’t stopped them from adding pieces to their 2025 roster.

Chicago is nearing an agreement to sign winger Jonathan Bamba on a permanent transfer from Celta Vigo in La Liga, which was first reported by Fabrizio Romano. Nothing has been finalized yet, and Bamba will have to complete a medical evaluation before the deal can be completed.

EXCL: Chicago Fire are set to sign Jonathan Bamba from Celta Vigo, deal agreed in principle.

Final details to be discussed and then he will fly for medical as soon as documents will be approved. pic.twitter.com/p3IndjEGLB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2025

Bamba, 28, would join the Fire as a Designated Player, according to Tom Bogert, should the deal get finalized.

Most of Bamba’s professional career was spent with Ligue 1’s LOSC Lille, where he collected 27 goals and 25 assists in 167 league appearances. Bamba joined Celta Vigo ahead of the 2023-2024 La Liga season and generated three goals and three assists in over 2,700 league minutes.

On the international stage, Bamba represents the Ivory Coast and has featured three times for the side that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as the host nation.

Joe’s Thoughts:

Bamba would finally provide the Fire with the dynamic winger that they’ve so desperately needed for years, particularly as they look to increase Hugo Cuypers’ goal-scoring output in 2025.

As a Designated Player, Bamba will need to contribute more than the three goals and three assists that he generated while with Celta Vigo, or else he will be another Fire Designated Player signing that falls into the “overpaid” category (right after getting rid of Gastón Giménez and Xherdan Shaqiri in 2024).

Bamba has the potential to be a game-changer in MLS and should help reignite a Chicago Fire attack that hasn’t been potent over the last few seasons.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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