Egidio Arévalo, also known as Arévalo Rios, has reportedly signed with the Chicago Fire as the transfer window nears a close. Per a TUTTOmercatoWEB report (Spanish), the deal is done and pending physical.
The Uruguayan defensive midfielder has totaled forty-two international appearances and has spent time in Liga MX. Most recently a member of Palermo in Italy’s second-division Serie B, the acquisition will reportedly be via loan. The Fire will have to open up an international roster slot to accommodate Arévalo, and speculation has leaned heavily towards current starting defensive midfielder Jeff Larentowicz being traded for the extra slot.
The Fire’s official twitter account apparently had re-tweeted a picture (left) of a jersey with the number 20 (currently occupied by Larentowicz) and Arévalo’s nickname, “Cacha”. The retweet has since been withdrawn (credit to HotTimeInOldTown for posting the pic).
When the signing is finalized, the thirty-one year old midfielder will join recently signed designated player Juan Luis Anangonó on the Fire’s roster. Arévalo’s move to MLS will mark the tenth time he has switched clubs since 2001.
Though Larentowicz is the most likely candidate to go, the signing also doesn’t bode well for Logan Pause, who recently returned from injury. Pause has played for the Fire since 2003 and spent time as the captain since 2011, though Larentowicz has recently taken the armband and Pause’s spot in the lineup. Perhaps Pause will find more playing time as Arévalo prepares to make his debut, but it is hard to see the club making the signing without the intent to start the Uruguayan every game.
The move adds experience to squad, as Arévalo has played for Uruguay in both the World Cup and the Olympics, and provides solid midfield support for a backline that has been shaky throughout the season, especially prior to the trade for Bakary Soumaré.
Regardless, it appears that multiple roster moves are likely to occur prior to Saturday’s match against the Impact de Montréal at Toyota Park.
Egidio “Cacha”Arevalo Rios is from Uruguay,not Ecuador..he was pivotal in world cup 2010’s Uruguay 4th place finish..he had the assist to the best Goal of that World Cup,scored by Diego Forlan vs Germany and has the heart of a Lion in the Midfield or as Uruguayans say “Garra Charrua”….please correct where he comes from,thank you.
Thanks for pointing that out, my bad. Late night writing.