Posted on September 21, 2012
Chicago Fire forward Guillermo Franco has received his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate and is available to play against the Columbus Crew on Saturday night.
The Fire signed the two-time World Cup veteran on Sept. 14.
Franco, who will turn 36 on Nov. 3, joined the club from Liga MX side Pachuca where he made 12 appearances in 2012. The Corrientes, Argentina product began his career with Argentine Primera División side San Lorenzo in 1995. Franco spent the next seven seasons with San Lorenzo, scoring 23 goals in 96 matches.
In 2002 Franco joined Mexican club Monterrey, where he made 119 appearances and scored 63 goals. Franco led Los Rayados to the 2003 Clausura title and led the league in scoring during the 2004 Apertura season with 15 goals. He headed to Spain, where he spent the 2006-09 season with Villarreal, where he made 81 appearances and scored 14 goals, including the goal in a 1-0 victory against Celta de Vigo that sent Villarreal into the UEFA Cup.
Franco signed with West Ham United for the 2009 season where he scored five goals in 23 appearances. He joined Argentinean side Vélez Sársfield in 2011 as he he made 18 appearances and scored five goals.
The 5-11, 168-lb. Franco became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 2004 and made his national team debut in 2005. Franco scored eight times in 25 appearances for El Tri, and represented Mexico in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Franco became the fourth player on the Fire roster with World Cup experience.
Photo: Guillermo Franco can play for Chicago vs. Columbus on Saturday. Andy Mead/YCJ
Categories: Mexico, North America
Tags: Columbus Crew, El Tri, Guillermo Franco, International Transfer Certificate, Major League Soccer, Monterrey, UEFA Cup, Villarreal, West Ham United
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