Chicago Fire sign Maren Haile-Selassie to contract extension through 2028-29

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Chicago Fire FC announced Friday that it has signed winger Maren Haile-Selassie to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season, extending the club’s commitment to one of its key attacking and locker-room presences. The team’s director of football and head coach, Gregg Berhalter, linked the deal to Haile-Selassie’s day-to-day work and continued development, while Chicago emphasized the player’s versatility on the field.

Berhalter said, “Maren has earned this contract through the work he puts in every day,” adding that Haile-Selassie is “always looking to improve” and that Chicago believes “his best football is still ahead of him.” Berhalter also described Haile-Selassie as someone who provides “versatility and quality on the field and leadership in the locker room,” and said the player “puts the team first” and is a long-term piece the organization wants to build around.

Haile-Selassie, 27, originally joined Chicago on loan from sister club FC Lugano in December 2022. The club then exercised his purchase option after the 2023 MLS campaign, completing his move into a permanent Chicago contract. The new agreement runs through the 2028-29 season, according to the club announcement.

The contract extension arrives after Haile-Selassie compiled 137 appearances for Chicago across all competitions. Chicago’s update also noted that he recently became the eighth player in club history to register 50-plus goal contributions, a milestone reflecting his overall output and involvement in goals during his time with the club.

In 2026, Haile-Selassie has been a leading contributor for Chicago, with 18 goal contributions consisting of nine goals and nine assists. Those numbers, as presented by the club, underscore his role in the team’s attacking production and help frame why Chicago chose to extend a player it views as still on an upward trajectory.

Haile-Selassie welcomed the decision publicly, saying, “Chicago has become my second home, and I’m proud to continue representing this city and this club.” He added that over the past few seasons he has “grown a lot as a player” and has seen “how much we've grown together as a team.”

He also pointed to the club’s direction, saying, “The club has made tremendous progress, and I believe in the direction we're heading and in what we can achieve together.” Haile-Selassie concluded by expressing his aim to help Chicago “bring success and trophies” while looking ahead to the seasons covered by the extension.

Before arriving in Major League Soccer, Haile-Selassie played extensively in Switzerland’s top two divisions, according to the club’s announcement. His background and continued development in MLS are part of the context Chicago provided as it moves to secure the winger for the long term.