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Chicago Fire adds Dutch forward de Leeuw

The Chicago Fire on Tuesday announced the long expected signing of Dutch forward Michael de Leeuw.

De Leeuw, 29, will be added to the Fire roster when the next MLS transfer window opens July 4. It has not been decided when he will begin training with his new teammates.

De Leeuw signed a three-year contract with a club option for the 2019 season.

"Michael hungers to score goals and to win," said Fire general manager Nelson Rodríguez in a club news release. "That mentality as well as his versatility to play several of the attacking roles will be valuable additions to our club."

The Fire has struggled significantly in the attack this season. In its past eight games, the last-place Fire (1-4-4-7 points) has scored just 5 goals and managed just 11 shots on goal. Brazilian striker Gilberto, one of the team's three designated players, does not have a goal this season.

De Leeuw joins the Fire after four seasons at Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen. He appeared in 117 league matches and scored 46 goals.

The Fire used targeted allocation money to sign de Leeuw and also sent $50,000 in general allocation money to the Philadelphia Union for his MLS discovery rights.

Follow Orrin on Twitter @Orrin_Schwarz

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