Chicago Fire acquire Argentine midfielder Gaston Gimenez

The Chicago Fire acquired defensive midfielder Gaston Gimenez from Velez Sarsfield on Monday for an undisclosed transfer fee.

He will occupy an international slot as a Designated Player on the MLS side's 2020 roster, pending a medical review and receipt of his international transfer paperwork. He is under contract with Chicago through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022.

Gimenez, 28, has spent his entire professional career in his native Argentina, most recently with Velez in the Superliga. He has made 42 appearances with the club since 2018.

"We are thrilled to acquire a player with the quality of Gaston Gimenez," Chicago head coach Raphael Wicky said in a club statement. "Gaston has a great left foot and is very gifted in the technical and physical aspects of the game. In addition, his humility and desire to always give his best for the team will fit in very well with the culture that we are establishing here at the Fire. I am looking forward to welcoming him to Chicago and having him be a leader on our team."

A media outlet in Argentina reported the transfer fee was $4.3 million.

Gimenez has earned one cap with Argentina's senior national team, playing in a friendly against Mexico in 2018.

The Fire open the MLS regular season on the road Sunday against the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders.