CHICAGO – Nemanja Nikolic could have opted for the chance at Premier League glory or the newfound riches of the Chinese Super League. Instead, he accepted the challenge to come to Chicago to help reestablish the Fire among the front runners in MLS.
The 29-year-old had reported offers from China, England’s Hull City and elsewhere in Europe, but the Serbian-born Nikolic was sufficiently impressed by the inspired words of head coach Veljko Paunovic to buy into the significant rebuild taking place at Toyota Park following two seasons of last-place finishes.
Nikolic struck a league-best 28 goals in 37 games to help guide Legia Warsaw to the 2016 Polish Ekstraklasa title after a success-laden six years with Hungary’s Videoton FC, and his desire to explore pastures new found him courted by teams from three continents.