CHICAGO (Feb. 28, 2018) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that it has acquired midfielder Tony Tchani from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for $150,000 in Targeted Allocation Money. Tchani is under contract for the 2018 season.

“Tony is a proven player and winner within MLS. His skill set will be complementary to our current squad and we are pleased to add his talents,” said Fire president and general manager Nelson Rodríguez.

In 2017, Tchani started 26 of the 27 regular season matches in which he appeared for Whitecaps FC, scoring four goals and adding one assist. He additionally appeared in two of the Whitecaps’ playoff matches and made one appearance in CONCACAF Champions League play.

Prior to joining the Whitecaps, Tchani spent five seasons with Columbus Crew SC, where he scored eight goals and tallied 18 assists in 130 regular season appearances. In 2015, Tchani recorded a career-high five goals and six assists, helping lead Crew SC to the MLS Cup, where he started and played 72 minutes.

Tchani was selected second overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls after a collegiate career at the University of Virginia. In his rookie season, Tchani scored one goal and added three assists in 27 appearances. In 2011, Tchani appeared in two matches before being traded to Toronto FC. He made 13 appearances for Toronto prior to joining Crew SC later that year.

Born in Bafang, Cameroon, Tchani received his U.S. citizenship in 2013 and appeared in a friendly for the U.S. Men’s National Team on Jan. 31, 2016 against Iceland. Tchani accepted a call up from Cameroon and made his first senior appearance in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on March 26, 2016.

Transaction: Chicago Fire Soccer Club acquires midfielder Tony Tchani from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for $150,000 of Targeted Allocation Money in 2018.

Name: Tony Tchani

Pronunciation: CHA-knee

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 185 lbs.

Date of Birth: April 13, 1989

Birthplace: Bafang, Cameroon

Citizenship: USA and Cameroon

Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC