Nelson Rodríguez and Veljko Paunovic introduced their second significant player signing in two weeks time on Tuesday, announcing that forward Michael de Leeuw had been inked to a three-year deal through 2018 with a club option for 2019.
As Rodríguez alluded to in the club’s formal press release, de Leeuw -- whose surname is Dutch for 'lion' -- is an athletic presence and a proven finisher, having deposited 46 goals in 117 matches with Dutch side FC Groningen, where he played three-and-a-half seasons alongside current Fire centerback Johan Kappelhof.
“I spoke with Johan a number of times, he said good things about Chicago, about the club, about the fans, the people around the city, it made me happy to come,” de Leeuw said.