The Chicago Fire have brought an El Salvador international back to MLS, announcing Thursday the signing of 30-year-old midfielder Arturo Alvarez to a one-year contract with a club option for 2017.
Alvarez played in MLS from 2003-2011, tallying 24 goals and 19 assists in 182 career regular-season matches for the San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake.
He moved to Europe in 2012, spending a year with Portuguese Primeira Liga side Pacos de Ferreira before being loaned to Hungarian club Videoton FC in 2013. He eventually made the Videoton move permanent, scoring eight goals in 55 appearances for the club before being released last year.
Alvarez trialed with the Fire this preseason before being signed on Thursday.
"Arturo is a successful veteran of MLS who has important international experience," Fire general manager Nelson RodrÃguez said in a statement released by the club. "His poise on the ball and his unselfish work rate complements our group."
Born in Houston, Alvarez represented the US as a youth international before making his senior team debut with El Salvador in 2009. He has four goals in 43 career caps, and represented the Central American nation at the 2011 and 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cups and in World Cup qualifying matches.
Chicago now have 23 players signed to their MLS roster. The club will open the 2016 season on Sunday at home against New York City FC (2:00 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
