Chicago Fire salaries and contract breakdown: Highest to the lowest paid Chicago Fire players

Chicago Fire salaries and contract breakdown: Highest to the lowest paid Chicago Fire players

Kenneth Mwenda
June 17, 2024 at 4:20 PM
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During the 2024 MLS season, the Chicago Fire football team once again takes centre stage in Major League Soccer (MLS) with an exciting blend of seasoned professionals and budding talents. Considering Chicago Fire's salaries and contracts, it is essential to understand their financial strategy and how they value players.

Kellyn Acosta and Xherdan Shaqiri at Soldier Field
Frame 1: Kellyn Acosta on May 04, 2024, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Frame 2: Xherdan Shaqiri at Soldier Field on October 4, 2023, in Chicago. Photos: Ben Hsu, Michael Miller
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

The Fire has a structured salary system that aligns with MLS regulations, ensuring a competitive but financially prudent roster. This article, sourced from factual publications, provides a detailed breakdown of Chicago Fire salaries for 2024, highlighting the highest-paid player, key player salaries, and more.

Overview of Chicago Fire salaries in 2024

The Chicago Fire soccer team has developed a comprehensive wage structure designed to lead to success on the pitch while keeping the club financially viable. In the 2024 season, the total gross salary outlay for Chicago Fire players has been pegged at close to $5.47 million, in line with Major League Soccer's cap per team.

Nevertheless, Xherdan Shaqiri, one of the famous players in the league, is the highest-paid player on the Chicago Fire roster; he earns an astonishing annual salary of $7,350,000, which is more than the MLS salary cap due to league allocation or other allowed mechanisms. The salary cap in Major League Soccer (MLS) is the maximum amount that teams are allowed to spend on player salaries.

Chicago Fire players' salaries and contracts

According to the salaries released by the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA), the Chicago Fire has the third-most expensive roster in MLS. Only Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, and Toronto FC, with former Italian international Lorenzo Insigne, spend more on player wages than they do.

For 2024 season we present you with a full table showing all details such as contracts among others that are specific to every player on Chicago Fire squad:

Player

Annual salary

Weekly salary

Contract start

Contract end

Nationality

Xherdan Shaqiri

$7,350,000

$141,346

Feb 9, 2022

Dec 31, 2024

Swiss

Hugo Cuypers

$3,238,000

$62,269

Feb 16, 2024

Dec 31, 2026

Belgian

Gastón Giménez

$1,600,000

$30,769

Dec 13, 2021

Dec 31, 2025

Paraguayan

Kellyn Acosta

$1,392,188

$26,773

Feb 13, 2024

Dec 31, 2026

American

Rafael Czichos

$1,300,000

$25,000

Jan 2, 2022

Dec 31, 2024

German

Brian Gutierrez

$803,409

$15,435

Nov 14, 2023

Dec 31, 2028

American

Chris Mueller

$650,004

$12,500

May 5, 2022

Dec 31, 2025

American

Arnaud Souquet

$620,012

$11,923

Jan 31, 2023

Dec 31, 2025

French

Andrew Gutman

$600,000

$11,538

Dec 12, 2023

Dec 31, 2026

American

Carlos Teran

$529,000

$10,173

Apr 30, 2023

Dec 31, 2026

Colombian

Chase Gasper

$500,000

$9,615

Jan 30, 2024

Dec 31, 2025

American

Federico Navarro

$500,000

$9,615

Aug 5, 2021

Dec 31, 2027

Argentine

Georgios Koutsias

$470,800

$9,054

Feb 28, 2023

Dec 31, 2026

Greek

Allan Arigoni

$462,000

$8,885

Jan 31, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

Swiss

Tobias Salquist

$400,000

$7,692

Jan 31, 2024

Dec 31, 2025

Danish

Fabian Herbers

$400,000

$7,692

Nov 23, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

German

Mauricio Pineda

$345,000

$6,635

Dec 31, 2020

Dec 31, 2026

American

Maren Haile-Selassie

$344,000

$6,615

Jan 31, 2024

Dec 31, 2026

Swiss

Tom Barlow

$250,000

$4,808

Dec 18, 2023

Dec 31, 2025

American

Chris Brady

$225,000

$4,327

May 16, 2022

Dec 31, 2026

American

Wyatt Omsberg

$200,000

$3,846

Feb 11, 2020

Dec 31, 2024

American

Spencer Richey

$165,000

$3,173

Nov 22, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

American

Jonathan Dean

$115,000

$2,212

Nov 22, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

American

Sergio Oregel

$89,716

$1,725

Jan 1, 2022

Dec 31, 2025

American

Javier Casas

$89,716

$1,725

Jan 14, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

American

Jeff Gal

$89,716

$1,725

Nov 22, 2023

Dec 31, 2024

American

Bryan Dowd

$71,401

$1,373

Jan 15, 2024

Dec 31, 2024

American

Highest-paid Chicago Fire player

Chicago Fire FC players at Soldier Field
Hugo Cuypers (9) of Chicago Fire FC celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Orlando City SC during the second half at Soldier Field on May 29, 2024, in Chicago. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images

Chicago Fire's Xherdan Shaqiri is the top-paid player. His annual pay packet is $7.35 million, which works out at $141,346 per week.

Shaqiri's reputation for creativity and extensive experience precedes him. The Swiss international moved to the team from French outfit Lyon in February 2022 and will remain with them until the end of 2024.

Chicago Fire team's average salary

In 2024, a Chicago Fire player's average wage is $844,443. There are high earners and those on less modest deals, which enable the club to comply with the MLS salary cap and remain competitive.

Chicago Fire's net worth and team composition

According to Forbes data, Chicago Fire's estimated value as of 2024 is $515 million. The club's financial plan centres on making high-profile signings and developing young players from the academy.

Who owns the Chicago Fire?

Billionaire Joe Mansueto, the founder and executive chairman of Morningstar, is the sole owner of the Chicago Fire. In 2018, Mansueto purchased a 49% stake in the team and later acquired the remaining 51% from Andrew Hauptman in 2019.

Trivia

Andrew Gutman andTomas Totland in St. Louis City
Andrew Gutman (L) against Tomas Totland (R) during an MLS regular season game between Chicago Fire FC and St. Louis CITY SC on May 11, 2024, in St. Louis City, MO. Photo: Rick Ulreich
Source: Getty Images

The 2024 season offers the Chicago Fire an exciting chance to tackle MLS challenges using a balanced team. The club intends to be successful both on the pitch and financially stable by carefully managing their wages and contracts.

When was the Chicago Fire formed?

Chicago Fire was formed on October 8, 1997. The date was chosen to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which began on the same date.

Which player holds the record for the most goals scored for Chicago Fire FC?

Razov is Chicago's all-time leading scorer with 76 goals.

Who is the all-time leader in appearances for Chicago Fire FC?

C.J. Brown retired as the club's final "Fire Original", holding the record for most appearances (372), starts (364), and minutes played (32,538).

Final word

The club's commitment to creating a strong competitive team is evident in the careful management of Chicago Fire salaries and contracts. Xherdan Shaqiri is just one of the stars that have led them to this point; accompanied by a supporting cast with equal capabilities, they are set for unforgettable seasons.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.