Gabriel Slonina is heading to the Premier League — after the Chicago Fire season.
The Fire on Tuesday announced they agreed to transfer their 18-year-old goalkeeper to Chelsea. Financial terms were not announced, but the fee is believed to be $10 million with a potential $5 million in add-ons. It is the largest outgoing transfer in Fire history.
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The deal includes a loan back to the Fire, meaning Slonina will finish the season in Chicago before heading to London in early 2023. His contract with Chelsea is for six years.
“We’re very proud and happy to see Gaga reach this milestone moment in his career,” Fire sporting director Georg Heitz said in a statement. “Since joining the club, Gaga has embodied what it means to be a Chicago Fire player. In addition to his incredible talent, he is mature beyond his years, extremely hard-working and a fantastic teammate.
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“Gaga is a role model to many young, aspiring footballers in Chicago, and this transfer demonstrates that a player can progress to the first team from our academy before joining one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
The news ends a monthslong rumor cycle surrounding the Addison native, considered one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the world. In addition to Chelsea, Spanish La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid also showed interest in Slonina.
Slonina generated headlines in 2019 when he signed a professional contract at 14 years old. He made his Major League Soccer debut last year and entered this season as the Fire’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
Slonina has proved to be among the best goalkeepers in MLS despite his age. He has 10 clean sheets this season, tied for second in the league behind New York City FC’s Sean Johnson, a former Fire goalkeeper.
“It’s been incredible to see Gaga’s continued growth on and off the field during my first season with the club,” Fire coach Ezra Hendrickson said in a statement. “His talent has been on full display, but I’ve been most impressed by his mentality and his willingness to constantly add more to his game at such a young age.”
Beyond his talent and physical attributes — 6-foot-4, 194 pounds — Slonina has been praised repeatedly for his maturity and professionalism.
“He’s got a great future ahead of him,” Fire winger Chris Mueller told reporters Saturday. “He’s a great young player and his head is on his shoulders. He does the right things. He has good habits. He takes care of his body. … He’s an example to a lot of the guys in the locker room in the way that he is professional. So I have no doubt that no matter what lies ahead of him, he’s going to handle it well.”
When — and how much — Slonina plays for Chelsea is to be determined. Many of soccer’s biggest clubs stockpile prospects only to loan them to teams that can offer regular playing time.
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“The moment you start to get comfortable is the moment you stop improving,” Slonina told the Tribune last year when asked about his work ethic. “It’s always about that mindset of never being comfortable, putting yourself in uncomfortable situations because that’s what really grows us. The biggest amount of growth comes from when you’re uncomfortable, when you’re not in a place you want to be, when you have to work to get where you want to be.”
Slonina’s move to Chelsea was aided by the fact he holds a Polish passport through his parents, who emigrated from Tarnów.
That passport also attracted the attention of Poland’s national team, which made a strong effort this year to secure Slonina’s international future. Slonina ultimately committed to the United States.
“I love everything about my heritage, from the people to the food to the cities,” Slonina, 18, said when announcing his commitment to the U.S. “I am also extremely grateful for being given the possibility to play for Poland.
“With that being said, my heart is American. This country has given me and my family all the opportunities I could ask for. … I understand the privilege of wearing the badge, and the only time I’ll put my head down is to kiss it. America is home and that’s who I’m going to represent.”
Chelsea, which the Ricketts family attempted to buy before pulling out of bidding, begins its season Saturday. The Fire’s last regular-season game is scheduled for Oct. 9.
