Chicago Fire triggers Sebastian Grazzini’s contract option

Just when it seemed Sebastian Grazzini’s time with the Chicago Fire was about to end, the Fire triggered his contract option, saying Thursday it planned to do so all along.

“We had told his representatives awhile back that we were going to exercise the option,” said Andell Holdings executive Javier Leon, who oversees the team for owner Andrew Hauptman. “I mean, he’s a starter. We want this guy.

“The issue that came up was because about a month ago he came to us and he said he had some family issues that he wanted to address and there was a thought that maybe he would go back to Argentina. So we were working with him to make him understand the commitment that he made to us and the team, and we feel good about the fact he’s going to stay with us.”

Leon emphasized the team delayed announcing it would pick up the contract option at Grazzini’s request.

“It’s still an evolving situation, but as far as the contractual relationship, he’s with us,” Leon said.

Asked after training Thursday if there was anything new with his situation, Grazzini just shook his head no and shrugged his shoulders with his palms outstretched and facing up.

Grazzini, a 31-year-old playmaking midfielder from Argentina, has been an important player for the Fire since joining the club in July 2011. In 25 MLS matches he has 7 goals and 9 assists and has helped the Fire to a 7-5-3 record this season, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The option on his contract will keep Grazzini in Chicago through the end of the season, and the club hopes to sign him to an extension that will bring Grazzini back in 2013.

“We expect him to be with us until at least the end of this year and hopefully further after that,” Leon said.

When he was removed from Saturday’s game in the 59th minute, Grazzini showed a T-shirt under his jersey that said “Thanks Chicago.” Still, Leon and coach Frank Klopas believe they will have a Grazzini who is happy to be in Chicago and will play hard for the club, though he will not travel for today’s match at Sporting Kansas City (7 p.m., NBC Sports Network) because he missed a day of training this week, Klopas said.

“Listen, we’re hoping,” Leon said. “At the end of the day, we have a fully committed group. We explained to him, you have to be 100 percent in, and you know what he can do when he’s 100 percent in.”

“Yes, I’m happy to have him back. That decision was made a long time ago. I would be happy being in Chicago and playing for this organization, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t be happy,” Klopas said. “He should be ecstatic with a big smile on his face.”

Meanwhile, the club continues to try to add other international players to add during the summer transfer window that opened Wednesday and runs until July 27. The Fire could also lose midfielder Marco Pappa, who has reportedly garnered interest from European clubs.

“Oh, nothing, nothing new,” Pappa said. “I’m just working out with the team right now. I still have a contract with the Fire, so I just am patient. I’m working hard for the team and looking forward for the season for the Fire.”

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