CHICAGO (Jan. 9, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that the Club has acquired French defender Arnaud Souquet (pronounced: ahr-NO soo-KAY) via free transfer from Montpellier HSC (Ligue 1, France). Souquet will occupy an international spot on the Fire’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). His contract with the Club will run through the 2025 season. Per Club and MLS policy, additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are very excited to welcome Arnaud to the Club,” said Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “We went into the offseason with a focus on strengthening the outside back position and improving our defending in transition. Arnaud is a very experienced player who has been playing regularly in a top-five league and his addition will help to immediately solidify our backline.”
Since making his professional debut with Lille in 2009, Souquet has played more than 300 matches across all competitions in the French and Belgian first and second divisions. Most notably, Souquet played 103 matches for Montpellier HSC since 2019 across all competitions, scoring four goals and registering six assists as a defender.
Born in Paris, France, Souquet grew up playing for CO Vincennois before joining Lille as a youth player in 2007. He moved up to the club’s Championnat squad at age 16 before signing with the first team in July 2009. Souquet made his professional debut with Lille in the UEFA Europa League against Czech club Slavia Prague, playing 90 minutes in the 5-1 win, while also scoring his first professional goal and registering his first assist.
The former youth international has also represented France at the U-16 through U-21 age levels, including all three group matches at the 2009 EURO U-17 Championship against Switzerland, Spain and Italy.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquires Arnaud Souquet via a free transfer from Ligue 1 club Montpellier HSC. His contract with the Fire will run through the 2025 season.
Name: Arnaud Souquet (pronounced: ahr-NO soo-KAY)
Position: Defender
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 154 lbs.
Date of Birth: February 12, 1992
Hometown: Paris, France
Birthplace: Paris, France
Citizenship: France
Last Club: Montpellier HSC
