Bastian Schweinsteiger: I'm 'really happy' playing for Chicago Fire

Bastian Schweinsteiger says he is enjoying life at Chicago Fire and has no regrets about his stay at Manchester United, while he has ruled out ending his career in Germany.

Schweinsteiger, 32, joined Chicago on a free transfer from United in March after a difficult spell at Old Trafford.

And the former Germany international has since played a pivotal role during his new club's impressive start to the Major League Soccer season.

"I'm really happy here and everything fits. The club is making progress and has helped my family and me a lot," the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder told Die Welt.

"The team wants to improve and the training staff are super. The Chicago people are also really nice and I'm having a lot of fun here. I don't know how long I'll play in the MLS, but at least this season!"

Asked whether he was planning a return to his native Germany, the 2014 World Cup winner said: "Not to play football. I can rule that out."

After moving to United from Bayern in 2015, Schweinsteiger endured a largely disappointing spell at Old Trafford.

But he says he does not regret his decision to sign for his former Bayern boss and then United manager Louis van Gaal, nor moving to Chicago either after failing to impress the Dutchman's successor Jose Mourinho.

"Whether a player moves abroad, or specifically to the United States, it always has something to do with your character," he said. "I can only report my experiences abroad in England and Chicago have been positive.

"You get to know a different culture and new people. Of course, as I had never moved before it was a little strange at first. Nevertheless, I must say, I settled in Manchester very quickly and made new friends. It's just the same in Chicago.

"Chicago so impressed me because when the coach and I had a long chat, his obsession for tactics reminded me of Pep Guardiola. And of course it's a nice feeling to be needed."