CHICAGO (Aug. 6, 2015) – The Chicago Fire announced Thursday that the club has acquired defender Daneil Cyrus on loan from TT Pro League side W Connection. Per MLS and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. In the most recent Gold Cup, Cyrus started three matches for Trinidad and Tobago, helping his side top Group C with a 2-0-1 record before falling in penalties to Panama in the quarterfinal round. Cyrus will be added to the Fire’s roster upon receipt of his ITC and P1 visa.

“Daneil is a player we’ve been monitoring for a while,” said Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. “He trained with us earlier in the year and had a number of impressive performances in the recent Gold Cup, so we’re pleased to add him to our side to shore up our defensive line as we head into the second half of the season.”

A Trinidad and Tobago youth international, Cyrus represented the Soca Warriors in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. The Plymouth, Trinidad and Tobago native made his senior debut against Chile in May 2010 and has since earned 42 caps and took part in the 2013 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Caribbean Cups.

Cyrus began his professional career with FC Santa Rosa in 2010 before joining Sporting Kansas City on loan on July 16, 2011. Cyrus made his MLS debut in a 4-2 win over Toronto FC on July 23, 2011. Cyrus made two appearances for Sporting KC before suffering a broken fifth metatarsal in a Reserve League match on Aug. 8, 2011.

On July 5, 2012, Cyrus signed with TT Pro League side W Connection, teaming up with current Fire defender Joevin Jones with the Savonetta Boys. In 2012, W Connection finished second in the CFU Club Championships, qualifying for the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League. In 2013, Cyrus helped W Connection to their fifth Pro League title.

Cyrus joined Vietnam V-League side Hanoi TT on loan on May 15, 2014 where he scored one goal in 26 appearances across all competitions, helping Hanoi finish second in the V-League in 2014.

Full Name: Daneil Nicholas Cyrus

Position: Defender

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 170 lbs.

Birthday: Dec. 15, 1990

Place of Birth: Plymouth, Tobago

Citizenship: Trinidad & Tobago

Acquired: On loan from W Connection on Aug. 6, 2015