On Tuesday, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of defender Johan Kappelhof from Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen. The 25-year-old now stands as the eighth official first team defender for the Fire, as he joins new signing Joao Meira, and MLS SuperDraft picks Brandon Vincent and Jonathan Campbell.
Kappelhof's pedigree
Kappelhof is a product of the famed Ajax youth system, which has produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game, such as Marco van Basten, Johan Cruyff and Edwin van der Sar. He then went on to sign for FC Groningen in 2011, where he didn't cement his place as a crucial first team member until the 2013/2014 campaign, when he made over 39 appearances in all competitions for the side. At the time of his departure from the club, he had made over 123 appearances and scored three goals. His stint was not without silverware, however, as he won the 2014/2015 KNVB Cup, which saw his side face BVV Barendrecht in the second round, Flevo Boys in the third round, FC Volendam in the fourth round, Vitesse in the quarter-finals, Excelsior in the semi-finals, and PEC Zwolle in the finals.
Youth international
Along with his experience in the Dutch first division, Kappelhof has been capped at the international level for the Netherlands U-21 team. Between 2011 and 2013, he made five appearances for the U-21's, including one match in the UEFA European U-21 Championship Qualifiers.
Chicago needs help. Badly.
Kappelhof's experience will come as a blessing to a Fire defense that allowed 58 goals against, kept only five shutouts, and finished last in the Eastern Conference and last in the league for the 2015 season. Hopefully, Kappelhof and Meira's European backgrounds, combined with the fresh vigor of collegiate standouts Vincent and Campbell, produces a livelier and firmer brand of defending for the 2016 campaign.