Chicago Fire trade for Joel Lindpere

The Chicago Fire have acquired midfielder Joel Lindpere from the New York Red Bulls for a 2013 international roster spot, the team announced on Friday. The 31-year-old Lindpere has spent the last three seasons in New York.

With Lindpere's arrival, Chicago suddenly has a suddenly crowded midfield with the 31-year-old Estonian joining Alvaro Fernandez and Patrick Nyarko. However, the issue doesn't seem to bother Fire vice president of soccer operations Guillermo Petrei, who told the Chicago Sun Times:

"When we recruit these players, it’s crowded if you look at midfielders, but most of them play different roles," Petrei said. "So we feel we can put our best players on the field and play well."

And when he does take the field, Lindpere should provide an immediate offensive presence for the Fire heading into next season. Lindpere started 26 games for the Red Bulls last season and played in 34 overall, tallying five goals and five assists. In his three seasons in New York, Lindpere totaled 15 goals and 18 assists overall in 97 appearances.

Prior to his arrival in New York, Lindpere played for the Norwegian club Tromso IL from 2007-09.