Bastian Schweinsteiger will get Chicago Fire to new level - Friedrich

Former Chicago Fire defender Arne Friedrich believes Bastian Schweinsteiger's move to his old club "is a good thing for both sides."

The 37-year-old believes his former Germany teammate can help his new team both on and off the pitch.

On Tuesday, Chicago Fire confirmed that Schweinsteiger, 32, has agreed a move from Manchester United, where he fell out of favour with Jose Mourinho this season.

The former Germany captain will be the second German to wear the Chicago Fire jersey, following in the footsteps of Friedrich, who was under contract there from March 2012 to June 2013.

"I am delighted for Basti," Friedrich told Berlin-based daily Der Tagesspiegel. "I think that it will be a good thing for both sides. Basti will help the team on the pitch. And for the media he has the appeal of a World Cup winner. He will moreover help Chicago Fire to get the club and its surroundings to a new level."

Friedrich looked back on his time at Chicago Fire, remembering that he was also involved in "optimising processes around the team," calling it "a different kind of development aid."

The former Germany defender said: "Basti will also participate actively in it."

Friedrich also believes that Schweinsteiger will have no problems settling in.

"In Chicago they will extend an especially warm welcome to him as a world star. He will have a wonderful time there," he said.