Navarro acquired from Club Atlético Talleres

The Fire acquired defensive midfielder Federico Navarro from Club Atlético Talleres in Argentina, the teams announced Friday afternoon.

The move was announced hours after the Tribune reported the completion of the deal.

The agreement was finalized before the Major League Soccer transfer window closed Thursday night, meaning the 21-year-old midfielder will be eligible to join the Fire this season upon receiving his visa and international transfer certificate.

“Federico is a very talented defensive midfielder who fits the demands of MLS,” Fire sporting director Georg Heitz said in a statement. “Despite being just 21 years old, he has been a consistent starter in one of the most challenging leagues in South America. His aggressiveness and ability to cover a lot of ground quickly will add a defensive mindset and balance to our roster. We look forward to welcoming him to Chicago in the coming weeks.”

Terms of the agreement were not announced. In a release, Talleres said the deal could be worth as much as $5 million if Navarro reaches certain undisclosed incentives.

Navarro, who is under contract through the 2025 season with a team option for 2026, has made 52 appearances across all competitions with Talleres and previously spent time with Argentina’s youth national teams.

Navarro is the third player from Argentina on the Fire’s roster along with designated players Gastón Giménez and Ignacio Aliseda.

The Fire had been tracking Navarro for about a year, according to reports in Argentina, and finally came to terms on a deal Thursday night.

The Fire used MLS’ under-22 initiative, a recent addition to the league’s rules that enables clubs to sign up to three players 22 and younger to large contracts that come with a reduced salary-cap charge.