Chicago swaps allocation picks with Minnesota to sign Juninho on loan

The Chicago Fire have added a veteran presence Friday with a move for Brazilian midfielder Juninho, who joins the squad on a one-year loan deal from LIGA MX parent side Club Tijuana.

Juninho, who enjoyed a celebrated six-year spell with the LA Galaxy, enlists with the Fire on a temporary switch after last season's Eastern Conference bottom-dweller swapped Allocation Ranking Order spots with Minnesota United.

Friday's move includes a club option to purchase the player outright and options to extend his MLS contract.

Chicago confirmed the move with a statement on its website, adding that the Fire sent general allocation money, a second round pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, and the No. 3 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order to Minnesota in exchange for the expansion side's No. 2 spot. Atlanta United, who holds the No. 1 honor, passed on the 27-year-old midfielder.

By virtue of a U.S. green card, Juninho qualifies as a domestic player, and with a trio of MLS Cup wins and two Supporters' Shields with the Galaxy under his belt, the Sao Paulo academy product brings some top-flight experience to Veljko Paunovic's squad.

"Juninho is a champion, a complete player and a beautiful person," Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez said. "He excels in all facets of the game and fully understands the commitment it takes to lift trophies. We’re thrilled that Juninho will wear red in his return to MLS."

Juninho is the Fire's second signing of the week after Legia Warsaw striker Nemanja Nikolic moved to Chicago on a three-year Designated Player deal on Tuesday.