Romanian midfielder joins Chicago Fire

Veteran Romanian midfielder Razvan Cocis, 31, has signed with the Chicago Fire, team officials announced Monday.

"Razvan is an experienced, well-traveled central midfielder," said Fire head coach Frank Yallop, whose team has struggled to a 3-10-4 record and sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. "He brings a wealth of international experience and will be a great addition as we enter the second half of the season."

Cocis, who recently played with Ukrainian side FC Hoverla Uzhhorod, made his pro debut in 2001. He also has played for Moldovan side FC Sheriff Tiraspol from 2004 through 2006, and moved to Russia in 2007 and joined FC Lokomotiv Moscow. The Slatina, Romania native's career included additional stops in Romania, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Russia before he joined Hoverla in 2013.

"I'm happy to be joining the Fire and can't wait to get started," Cocis said in a statement released by the Fire. "The team is really coming together and I'm looking forward to contributing to its successes for the remainder of the season."

Cocis has earned 50 caps for his country and most recently appeared in Romania's UEFA World Cup Qualifying playoff match against Greece on Nov. 15, 2013.