Fire sign Paraguayan defender Marmol

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- After a lengthy and at times bizarre courtship, the Chicago Fire Tuesday signed Paraguayan defender Lider Marmol to a contract.

The Fire acquired the rights to Marmol last year as a discovery player thanks to then-coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who bolted the Fire for the New York Red Bulls at the end of the 2007 season. Because he was never signed to an MLS contract, Marmol went with Osorio to New York and trained with the Red Bulls this spring.

The Fire convinced Marmol to return to Chicago two weeks ago, and negotiations for a contract were completed Tuesday.

"I'm focusing on playing now," Marmol said in a teleconference when asked about the New York-Chicago issue.

Marmol, 22, last played for Hercules CF in Spain's second division at the end of the 2007 season, starting 11 matches and scoring once. He has also recently had tryouts with Coventry City FC and Reading FC in England.

"We are excited to have Lider join our organization," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said. "He is a good young player that is going to make our team stronger."

"I'm excited we were finally able to come to an agreement," said Fire coach Denis Hamlett. "Lider is good in the air, and a very technical player."

Marmol will be added to the Fire roster when the team receives his P-1 visa and work certificate. He will be designated as a senior international, and the Fire have an open international spot available. But they will have to cut a player from their roster when Marmol becomes active.

Hamlett said Marmol is expected to help the team immediately, but can also be a part of the Fire roster for a long time to come because he is so young.

"We wanted to get a player that can help us now, but it is a bonus to have someone who will be available to help us in the future," Hamlett said.

Marmol was a free agent and could have signed anywhere in the world, but he chose MLS because of its growing commitment to talented foreign players.

"They are bringing in a lot of good players," Marmol said. "It's important for me to be in this league at this time."

Marmol is a native of Alto Parana, Paraguay, and began his career with CD 4 de Agosto where he played four seasons (1999-2002). He then played for Parguayan second division side Club Atletico River Plate (2002-2004). In 2005 and 2006 he played for Club Guarani in Paraguay. He also played for the Paraguayan national team at the under-20 level in 2003.

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