Winger Jonathan Bamba was acquired by the Fire from Spanish club Celta Viga on Tuesday and agreed to a three-year contract that includes a team option for 2028.
The 28-year-old, a member of Ivory Coast’s team that won last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, will be a designated player whose compensation and acquisition cost exceed the $743,750 salary budget charge maximum.
Bamba has played for Saint-Etienne (2015-18), Paris FC (2016), Sint-Truiden (2016), Angers (2016), Lille (2018-23) and Celta.
The Fire are entering the team’s first season under former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter.