Gabriel Slonina’s transfer saga is over and it looks like the American goalkeeping prospect is on his way to West London.
Chelsea have agreed terms with MLS’s Chicago Fire over a transfer for the 18-year-old American, according to Sky Sports’ Fabrizio Romano. The Premier League team pays Chicago a base fee of $10 million, per The Athletics’ Paul Tenorio and Slonina will join his new club in January following the conclusion of the MLS season.
Spanish giants Real Madrid appeared to be Slonina’s preferred destination throughout the summer. This year’s UEFA Champions League winners reportedly made a bid in June which was rejected by the Four. However, Slonina’s agent Jaime Garcia maintained that it was the young goalkeeper’s dream to play for Madrid and that he hoped the two clubs could reach an agreement.
“With respect to other clubs and other offers – we have received many and we are friendly to those clubs – but you cannot say no to Real Madrid,” Garcia told MLSSoccer.com.
Yet it is Chelsea, who were recently bought by American billionaire Todd Boehly, who are getting the signature of the American international.
Slonina, casually known as Gaga, is second in MLS in clean sheets this season with 10 in 23 games. After a call-up to the Polish national team in May, the two-time international announced that he would play his international football with the United States. While he doesn’t figure to be a factor in the upcoming World Cup — he has yet to appear for the USMNT — Slonina is the U.S.’s best goaltending prospect in years.
And now he becomes another American presence at one of the Premier League’s top clubs.
