Fire sign Paraguayan defender
The Chicago Fire signed Paraguayan defender Lider Marmol to the team's 28-man roster on Tuesday.
"We are excited to have Lider join our organization," said Fire technical director Frank Klopas. "He is a good young player that is going to make our team stronger."
A native of Alto Paranȡ, Paraguay, Lider Marmol last played with Hercules CF in Spain's second division in the latter stages of the 2007 season. Marmol, 22, signed with Hercules CF during that season's December transfer window and had an immediate impact in the center of the team's defense. Marmol (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) started 11 matches and scored one goal.
Prior to the 2007-2008 campaign, Marmol was invited for preseason tryouts with English sides Coventry City FC and Reading FC.
Marmol began his career in Paraguay with CD 4 de Agosto, where he played for four seasons (1999-2002). Following that, he played for the Paraguayan second division side Club Atletico River Plate (2002-2004). He was then acquired by first division side Club Sol de America where he played for one year (2004). In the 2005 and 2006 seasons he played for Club Guarani, helping the club to a second-place finish in the Torneo Apertura one season. He made 44 career appearances in Liga Paraguaya and has scored three goals.
Marmol will be added to the roster pending the arrival of his visa and work certificate.