The Chicago Fire have confirmed that Orr Barouch has been officially loaned to Bnei Yehuda. The forward was linked to this team in Aug. 2012, but MLS allegedly blocked the deal. Now, the transfer has been completed, and he is expected to join the team "immediately."
Orr Barouch is Loaned to Bnei Yehuda
The Chicago Fire did not release details of Orr Barouch's loan, but previous reports indicated that Bnei Yehuda wanted a deal for four years and offered $400,000. The details of the current deal have not been released. After he joined the team in March 2011, the Fire acquired the rights to Barouch in Dec. 2011. Barouch joined the team on a loan and is now leaving the same way.
Previous Loan Controversy Surrounding Orr Barouch
The first reports of Orr Barouch's transfer surfaced on Bnei Yehuda's official website in Aug. 2012. However, the Chicago Fire did not confirm these initial reports. Instead, MLS was rumored to have interfered in the deal and rejected it. It is not known why Major League Soccer objected to the transfer, but sources have indicated that the main issue was money. The league's decision to halt the move was seen as temporary. Now, MLS seems to have agreed to the deal and allowed the transfer to be completed.
Orr Barouch and the Chicago Fire
Orr Barouch did not have many opportunities to play in 2012 with the Chicago Fire. He participated in a total of 9 games in 2012 and 28 matches in 2011. As a striker, he was rarely seen in the starting lineup this season because the team had other options. Nevertheless, I believe he showed potential during his limited time in Chicago and could continue to develop into a strong striker.
Barouch is rumored to be pleased with the deal because he believes that Bnei Yehuda will give him more time on the field. The Chicago Fire have not confirmed the length of the loan, but the option of his return seems to have remained, and the team has vowed to watch his development. In the future, Orr Barouch could resurface on the Fire's roster.
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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.
