Marketplace

Freddie Ljungberg is releasing the following statement about his move from the Seattle Sounders FC to the Chicago Fire Soccer Club: “There has been a lot of speculation, but no more…I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful new franchise in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders FC. I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I first came to Seattle but I have to say that how the city and the fans have embraced me has gone beyond my wildest dreams and for that I am forever grateful. I also want to thank my teammates who are absolutely great on and off the pitch. I have made some very close friends who I know I will be in contact with forever.

“I have been thinking long and hard about the next step in my career and I am extremely happy to announce that I will be the newest member of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and I will join the team this Sunday in Los Angeles. I had a very long and exciting meeting with Andrew Hauptman and Frank Klopas; the vision they shared with me about taking Chicago to the next step and becoming a power house in the MLS was extremely appealing to me. I am very much looking forward to working together with my teammates and becoming an active part of the community which has such a strong, successful sports tradition.

“I also want to add, as a huge hockey fan, congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the Stanley Cup. I look forward to introducing myself a bit better at the press conference next week in Chicago.”