CHICAGO(Nov. 23, 2020) – Chicago Fire FC announced today that the Club has acquired 21-year-old Ecuadorian defender Jhon Espinoza via transfer from S.D. Aucas (Ecuador). Espinoza will be added to the Fire’s roster pending a medical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa. He is under contract with the Fire through the 2023 season with Club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
“Jhon is a talented, young right fullback who will be a great addition to the Club,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “With Jhon’s signing, we’ve added another player who will provide more competition and quality within the roster heading into next season. We are excited that he is coming to Chicago and look forward to working with him.”
Since making his professional debut on Dec. 12, 2017, Espinoza has made 54 appearances (48 starts) across all competitions while playing in Ecuador’s top-flight. He originally began his career with C.D. Cuenca in 2017 and made five appearances (four starts) in two seasons with the Club. Since joining S.D. Aucas ahead of the 2018 campaign, the defender has made 49 appearances (44 starts) across all competitions.
Internationally, he has earned 15 caps for Ecuador’s U-20 side, including seven appearances in the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup, and two caps for the Ecuador National Team. In 2019, Espinoza captained Ecuador’s U-20 team to a first-place finish in the 2019 U-20 South American Championship. He made seven appearances (seven starts) as his home country captured its first-ever championship in the biennial competition.
Espinoza will occupy an international slot on the Fire’s 2021 roster. He is the 15th player on the Club’s roster age 23 or younger.
Transaction: Chicago Fire FC acquires defender Jhon Espinoza via transfer from S.D. Aucas. Espinoza’s contract with the Fire will begin in January 2021.
Name: Jhon Espinoza
Position: Defender
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Date of Birth: Feb. 24, 1999
Hometown: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Birthplace: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Citizenship: Ecuador
Last Club: S.D. Aucas
