Mallorca, Munich for Chicago-bound Schweinsteiger
BERLIN: Ex-Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has been jetting around Europe while waiting for his visa to join Chicago Fire and keeps himself fit training with second-division Spanish side Real Mallorca.
The 32-year-old ex-Bayern Munich star announced last week that he is joining the MLS team in Chicago, ending an unhappy spell at Manchester United where he lost his first-team place under manager Jose Mourinho.
According to German media reports, Schweinsteiger could make his Chicago debut as soon as Saturday in Fire’s home game against Montreal Impact.
“We plan to unveil Bastian at a news conference on Wednesday,” Chicago’s media director Frank Stranzl told Sport Bild over the weekend.
But Schweinsteiger has been jetting around as he prepares to move to the United States.
Before signing with Fire, Schweinsteiger reportedly completed a four-hour medical check, not in Chicago, but in Munich last Friday after his new club flew team doctor Joshua Blomgren over to the Bavarian capital.
Next stop after Munich was Mallorca, where Schweinsteiger’s wife, the ex-tennis player Ana Ivanovic, has a residence.
On Sunday, Schweinsteiger posted a video on Twitter thanking Real Mallorca for allowing him to use their training facilities.
“My visa for America is coming soon, so until then, I will be training here,” he added in the clip.
Schweinsteiger, who retired from international football last year after 121 appearances, is set to be the second Germany star to play for Chicago Fire after defender Arne Friedrich, 37, who wore the jersey in 2012-13. - AFP