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Kappelhof Brings Top-Flight Experience, Quality to Chicago Back Line

Veljko Paunovic added a key piece to his plans for the Chicago Fire back line in 2016 and beyond on Tuesday, announcing the signing of 25-year-old Dutch defender Johan Kappelhof.

After coming up through the Ajax youth system, Kappelhof found a home at FC Groningen, where he featured for 123 Eredivisie matches -- including 18 this season -- before moving stateside for a new challenge with MLS and the Chicago Fire. He departs a Groningen side that currently stands ninth in the 18-team top flight of Dutch football.

The defender’s ties to his only professional club obviously run deep, as evidenced in the video below.