Keeping Bastian Schweinsteiger for 2018 'a priority' - Chicago Fire GM

Chicago Fire general managerNelson Rodriguez has called keeping Designated Player Bastian Schweinsteiger at the club for the 2018 season is "a priority."

Schweinsteiter, 33, left Manchester United to sign a one-year deal with the Fire in March.

His contract contains a mutual option for next season. And Rodriguez, speaking to reporters this week, said he is optimistic the 2014 World Cup winner will return.

"We remain optimistic that Basti and we will reach a mutually satisfactory agreement and that he will return," said Rodriguez.

"I won't put a timeline on it. I think Basti has proven his importance to our club and to our team and that remains a priority to bring him back."

Schweinsteiger led Chicago to a third-place finish in the Eastern Conference this season, the franchise's best finish since ending the 2009 campaign in second.

However, they were eliminated in the knockout round of the MLS Playoffs after a 4-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls last month.

The longtime Bayern Munich man scored three goals and provided two assists in 24 league games with the Fire in 2017.