January 22, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has acquired Polish striker Kacper Przybyłko (pronounced: KATS-pehr Shuh-BILL-koh) from the Philadelphia Union. In exchange, the Union will receive $1,150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) split across two seasons – $575,000 in 2022 GAM and $575,000 in 2023 GAM. Przybyłko is now under contract with the Fire through the 2023 campaign.
“We’re very pleased to add a player of Kacper’s caliber to our roster,” said Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Going into the offseason, we wanted to sign a top attacking player with MLS experience and Kacper has been one of the most effective goal-scorers in this league over the last three seasons. With his physical attributes and knack for scoring goals, we believe that he will be a great addition as we continue to build a talented roster for 2022 and beyond. We look forward to welcoming him and his family to the Club.”
Przybyłko, 28, joins Chicago after spending the past three seasons with the Union, where he notched 35 goals and 14 assists in 83 appearances (77 starts). Since making his MLS debut on April 20, 2019, Przybyłko’s 35 goals are tied for the third-most in the league, behind only Atlanta United FC striker Josef Martínez (38) and Seattle Sounders FC attacker Raúl Ruidíaz (37). Additionally, Przybyłko’s 49 combined goals and assists are the fourth-highest total of any player in MLS since 2019. He trails only LAFC’s Carlos Vela (59), New York City FC’s Valentín Castellanos (52) and Sporting KC’s Johnny Russell (51).
Przybyłko led the Union in scoring each of the last three years, including the shortened 2020 season when Philadelphia captured its first ever Supporters’ Shield trophy. He also added five goals for the club in the 2020-21 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, finishing as the regional tournament’s top scorer while helping to lead the Union to the semifinals.
Prior to joining MLS, Przybyłko spent the majority of his career competing in various divisions Germany. From 2011-18, Przybyłko, who was born in Bielefeld, Germany, made 162 appearances across all competitions for Arminia Bielefeld, 1. FC Köln, Greuther Fürth and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Most notably, at just 20-years-old Przybyłko was a part of the FC Köln side that won the 2. Bundesliga title, earning promotion to the Bundesliga.
Przybyłko has a U.S. Green Card and will not occupy an international slot on the Fire’s roster. He is fluent in English, German and Polish.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquire striker Kacper Przybyłko from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for $1,150,000 in GAM split across two seasons – $575,000 in 2022 GAM and $575,000 in 2023 GAM.
Name: Kacper Przybyłko (pronounced: KATS-pehr Shuh-BILL-koh)
Position: Forward
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 194 lbs.
Date of Birth: March 25, 1993
Hometown: Dolny Åląsk, Poland
Birthplace: Bielefeld, Germany
Citizenship: Poland, Germany
Last Club: Philadelphia Union
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