Chicago Fire have confirmed the signing free-agent midfielder Kellyn Acosta to a three-year contract through the 2026 MLS season with an option for 2027.

Acosta joins the Fire after spending the previous two seasons with LAFC, where he lifted the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2022. Acosta’s time with the Black and Gold came to a heartbreaking end, as the Western Conference side fell in MLS Cup to Columbus Crew after coming up short in the Campeones Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup finals.

The 28-year-old departs BMO Stadium having managed four goals and five assists in all competitions. Prior to his time in Los Angeles, Acosta spent three-and-a-half seasons with Colorado Rapids, where he registered seven goals and seven assists in 82 appearances.

Acosta’s career thus far has been exclusively in MLS, as he starred for six-and-a-half seasons for FC Dallas to begin his career. He went on to lift the 2016 US Open Cup with the Texan side, making 139 appearances, scoring 13 goals and adding nine assists. In total, Acosta has 249 league appearances to his name for the three previously mentioned clubs.

“We’re very pleased that Kellyn has joined the Club, as he was our primary target in free agency in the offseason. We wanted to add a well-rounded central midfielder with strong leadership qualities and a track record of success. Kellyn has won trophies with multiple clubs and has been a great ambassador for the League while representing the U.S. Men’s National Team, including most recently at the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” Chicago sporting director George Heitz said in a release.

“Kellyn choosing the Fire at this stage of his career shows that he fully believes in our vision to build a Club that is one of the top teams in MLS and has a deep connection with the local community.”

Acosta has represented the US men’s national team 58 times at the international level since making his debut in 2016. The Plano, Texas native has bagged two goals and dished out five assists with the USMNT, also featuring at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He’s also lifted two Gold Cups and one Nations League title with the Stars and Stripes.

Acosta is another huge signing for Chicago this offseason, as the Eastern Conference club have already brought in the likes of Tom Barlow, Andrew Gutman, Tobias Salquist and club-record addition Hugo Cuypers in a bid to return to postseason for the first time since 2017.

Chicago and Acosta begin their 2024 MLS campaign on February 24 against Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.