Transfer Watch: Chicago Fire, Toronto FC reportedly targeting Portland Timbers' Will Johnson

Transfer Watch: Fire, TFC reportedly targeting Will Johnson

Will Johnson stares at the camera while warming up - Portland Timbers

Could Will Johnson be making a return to the Chicago Fire?


The veteran midfielder has been one of the bigger names on the trade market since telling Prost Amerika after MLS Cup that he won’t return to Portland in 2016, and a Monday report has the Chicago Fire – and Toronto FC – as leading candidates to land the Canadian international.



Orrin Schwarz, from the Chicago-area Daily Herald, reported on Monday that the Fire are in the running to land Johnson, who spent his teenage years in the Chicago suburbs before signing with the Fire in 2005 at age 18. Schwarz also reported that TFC are in contention to land the Toronto-born Canadian international, who moved to Portland ahead of the 2013 season after five years with Real Salt Lake.


Johnson, 28, has 25 goals and 15 assists in 189 career MLS regular-season appearances. He was named Timbers captain shortly after his arrival in the Rose City, and was a mainstay in Portland’s lineup until injuries and a formation change saw him relegated to a reserve role for most of this year.


He spent one year in Chicago, making six regular season appearances for the Fire before moving to Dutch club Heerenveen in 2006.