Robin Lod heads for the Fire, departs the Loons after seven seasons

First reported by MenInRed97 and soon after confirmed by the Chicago Fire following rumours coming out in the past week, it’s now official Robin Lod is leaving Minnesota to join Chicago Fire. The 32 year old Finnish International spent seven seasons with the black and blue, making 185 appearances and scoring 41 goals during his time in Minnesota.

Lod had initially joined Minnesota United on a transfer from Spanish side Sporting Gijón for just under $700,000 after he spent just one season with the Segunda División side. He now joins Chicago on a two and a half year contract through the summer of 2028.

Following the MLS SuperDraft MNUFC’s Sporting Director Khaled El-Ahmad stated that the club had offered a contract, but “The ball is in his court” following the offer being presented. Lod now becomes the fourth high profile departure of the offseason, following Hassani Dotson, Dayne St. Clair, and the sale of Joseph Rosales to Austin FC.

This now brings a huge change to how the club will need to tackle free agency, effectively putting the club into a rebuilding mode rather than the continued buildup we’ve seen over the past two seasons. The Loons are now in need of a new goalkeeper, a second striker, and possibly now extra midfielders on top of newly acquired Peter Stroud. Minnesota has been linked with Charlotte FC goalkeeper Drake Callender in recent days, which could solve the Loons goalkeeper question.