Fire upgrade continues with addition of Ljungberg

The Fire lineup will have a very different look the second half of this season.

The Fire announced Friday afternoon it has traded for Freddie Ljungberg, sending Seattle a conditional draft pick in 2011 or 2012. It is the first time a Designated Player has been traded in MLS.

Ljungberg, 33, a former Arsenal midfielder and Swedish international, joined Seattle for the 2009 season, when he had 2 goals and 9 assists and helped lead the expansion Sounders to the playoffs.

"Freddie is an exceptional player with world-class talent and we are thrilled to have him join the Chicago Fire," said Fire technical director Frank Klopas in a statement released by the team. "He is a player with an illustrious career, and as an attacking player he will help us towards our goal of bringing the MLS Cup to Chicago."

Ljungberg has struggled this season, however, and had been expected to be traded within MLS or move back to Europe. He has 0 goals and 3 assists in 15 games this year, and he ran into trouble with Seattle coach Sigi Schmid for frequently arguing with referees.

"I have been thinking long and hard about the next step in my career and I am extremely happy to become the newest member of the Chicago Fire," Ljungberg said in the team release. "I had a very long and exciting meeting with Fire owner Andrew Hauptman and technical director Frank Klopas. Their vision and commitment to this club and to winning championships was extremely appealing to me."

On Thursday the fourth-place Fire (4-5-5, 17 points) introduced forward Nery Castillo, also a DP, to the media. Castillo was acquired on loan from Shahktar Donetsk in the Ukraine.

Ljungberg is expected to be available to play Sunday night at Los Angeles. Castillo probably will make his Fire debut Aug. 8 against the New York Red Bulls.