On July 25, the Millonarios announced that midfielder Rafael Robayo is leaving the Chicago Fire and joining their club. The Fire have not confirmed this, but it may simply be another example of the team's delayed announcements. The Millonarios F.C. have posted the news on their official website, so I think Chicago will be sharing the same report soon.
Rafael Robayo will Join the Millonarios
The Millonarios F.C. have posted an announcement that confirms previous rumors about Rafael Robayo's transfer to their team. There have been reports for several weeks about this potential move. Many fans expected Robayo to be released, so an international spot would open for Sherjill MacDonald. Instead, the Chicago Fire opted to loan Federico Puppo and open a designated player slot.
In addition to the Millonarios' website, other reports have appeared that confirm the same news. Details on the transfer have been limited up to this point. However, the Millonarios claim that Rafael Robayo will join them on a contract that could last18 months. Some have claimed that the midfielder's contract with the Fire would have lasted up to Dec. 2013. Additionally, there are rumors that he will be available for training in Bogotá, Colombia, this weekend.
Going Back to Bogotá, Colombia
Rafael Robayo spent 2005 to 2011 with the Millonarios F.C., so he will simply be returning to his former club. He joined the Chicago Fire in 2012 and participated in a total of 16 games. His time with the MLS team has been unremarkable but filled with some controversy. Rafael Robayo was allegedly displeased with the limited amount of time that head coach Frank Klopas gave him to play. There were also reports that he wanted to be a starting midfielder at every game, yet during his three starts failed to produce many results.
The transfer of Rafael Robayo back to the Millonarios will open an additional international spot on the Chicago Fire's roster. The MLS transfer window closes on July 27. If the team is planning to use the open slot, there is very little time left for them to make another move.
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Lana follows MLS, UEFA and FIFA. She has been a faithful fan of the Chicago Fire since 1998. Follow @Lana_Bandoim on Twitter.
