On the eve of the new MLS season, the Chicago Fire acquired forward Kei Kamara from CF Montreal in exchange for a maximum of $400,000 in general allocation money Friday.
With 139 regular-season goals, the 38-year-old Kamara ranks third all-time in MLS history. The Fire will be Kamara’s 10th different club since breaking into the league in 2006.
“Kei has shown throughout his career that he can consistently produce goals in MLS, including this past season with CF Montreal,” Fire sporting director Georg Heitz said in a news release. “Not only will he help to make us more dangerous in the attacking third, but he will bring experience and leadership to the squad. Kei will be an important addition to the team as we continue to build the squad for the 2023 season.”
Montreal will receive $125,000 in general allocation money in both 2023 and 2024, plus another $150,000 based on Kamara’s performance in Chicago.
In a statement, CF Montreal chief sporting director Olivier Renard indicated that Kamara did not agree to a long-term extension offer.
“The Club thanks Kei for his on-field contributions last season,” Renard said in a news release. “The Club’s wish was not only to have him for the 2023 season, but to offer him a multi-year project. We wanted him to be happy and to settle in Montreal with his family. We ultimately found an agreement for a trade. We wish him the best of luck in the next chapter of his career.”
Kamara posted nine goals and seven assists in his first season with Montreal in 2022. It was his most productive season since three straight seasons of double-digit goal totals in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with New England, Vancouver and Colorado, respectively.
Kamara has played 391 career MLS matches, starting 313 of them. In addition to his 139 goals and 54 assists, he has added five goals and one assist in 17 career postseason appearances.
Chicago does not begin its campaign until a Week 2 home match against New York City on March 4. CF Montreal opens its season on Saturday at Inter Miami.
–Field Level Media