CHICAGO, Ill. (July 24, 2012) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Tuesday that the club has signed Dutch forward Sherjill MacDonald. MacDonald will be added to the Fire’s roster pending an international opening and will occupy a Designated Player slot. MacDonald will begin training with the team Tuesday at the Toyota Park practice field. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Sherjill is a goal scorer who can hold the ball up, attack with pace and is very technically sound,” said Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “He has competed at a high level in Europe and will bolster our attack as we make a push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs.”

MacDonald joins the Fire from Belgian Pro League Side Beerschot AC. The sizeable forward joined the Antwerp club in 2009 and tallied 15 goals in 82 matches through the 2012 campaign. Over the course of his 10-year career in Belgium, the Netherlands and England, MacDonald has tallied 47 goals in 217 appearances.

“We have followed Sherjill’s career over the course of the last year and we are happy to bring him to Chicago,” said Fire President of Soccer Operations Javier Leon. “Sherjill adds to our attacking options and is a professional on the field and in the locker room.”

MacDonald began his career in the storied Ajax youth program in 2000. He made his professional debut in 2002 with R.S.C. Anderlecht of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League where he appeared in 26 matches and recorded one goal. While under contract with Anderlecht, MacDonald was loaned to Dutch second division side Heracles Almelo where he made 17 appearances and scored four goals from 2004-05. He also spent time with Hamburger SV II, the second team of German Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, where he made 22 appearances and scored four goals during the 2005-06 season.

In 2006 MacDonald moved to AGOVV Apeldoorn of the Ereste Divisie, the Dutch second division, where he appeared in 24 matches and scored 11 goals.

In January 2007, MacDonald joined English side West Bromwich Albion on loan and made his club debut January 31, 2007, going on to appear in 18 matches. In January 2008 his loan was made permanent when he signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Albion. He appeared in five matches before joining Hereford United on loan in 2008, where he scored twice in his debut. In seven matches with Hereford United, MacDonald notched six goals.

MacDonald also spent time on loan with Belgian Jupiler Pro League side K.S.V. Roeselare where he made 16 appearances and tallied 6 goals in 2009.

MacDonald, 27, has been capped for the Netherlands at the U-21 level, making his debut against England in a 1-0 loss in November 2006.

Player: Sherjill MacDonald

Position: Forward

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 174 lbs.

Born: November 20, 1984

Place of Birth: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Citizenship: The Netherlands

College: N/A

How acquired: Signed by the Fire on July 24, 2012

Twitter: @Mackie84