15^th March 2000

World Soccer Superstar Hristo Stoichkov Allocated to Chicago Fire, Stoichkov Press Conference in Chicago on Monday, March 20 at 2 PM at Soldier Field Chicago Fire has acquired international soccer superstar Hristo Stoichkov. To obtain Stoichkov, Chicago acquired an allocation via trade with San Jose. San Jose received an allocation to replace Eddie Lewis, who was transferred earlier today to Fulham of the English First Division. San Jose then traded that allocation to Chicago for the Fire's 2002 1st Round draft pick and two No. 2 picks in the 2001 MLS draft. Stoichkov will be in New York today to work out final contract details with Major League Soccer officials and attend Major League Soccer's 1st Kick 2000 Reception in Mid-town Manhattan at 11:00 a.m. (CT). He will be on a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. (CT). He will make his first appearance in Chicago on Monday, March 20 at 2 PM. (CT) at a press conference at Soldier Field. Media members attending the press conference are requested to park in Lot 4, the south-east parking lot at Soldier Field, and enter gate 8 and take the elevators to the suite level. Born February 8, 1966 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the just turned 34-year-old Stoichkov has performed at the highest level of club and international football throughout his career in Europe. He made his international debut on September 23, 1987 and recently retired from his country's side with 84 caps and 37 goals for the Bulgarian National Team. His 37 goals rank second all-time for Bulgaria's National Team, only 10 behind leader Hristo Bonev with 47. He has been voted Best Bulgarian Football Player of the Year five times (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994) and he was also named Best Bulgarian Athlete of the Year in 1994. His most awesome accomplishment came on U.S., and Chicago soil (Bulgaria v Greece June 28, 1994 at Soldier Field), as the leading scorer for his country led Bulgaria to a 3rd place finish during the 1994 World Cup, USA '94. The Bulgarians were the darlings of the tournament as they got to the semi-finals after defeating World power Germany in the quarterfinals. For his efforts for his country, and club team, then Barcelona (Spain), he was named the FIFA Footballer of the Year in 1994. Stoichkov also was a big part of the 1998 Bulgarian World Cup squad in France. "We are very excited to bring Hristo to Chicago," said Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley. "His career speaks for itself. But beyond all the numbers and medals and trophies is a player that has always had a tremendous desire and determination to win games. He has always won at every level and every team he has been with, and he does whatever it takes to take his team to victory." As good as his international career has been for Bulgaria, his club career has been just as spectacular. He started his professional career with Bulgaria club CSKA Sofia. He played five straight seasons for Sofia, appearing in 119 games and scoring an unbelievable 81 times. His 38 goals in 30 games during the 1989-90 season led all of Europe in scoring that season, and for his efforts Stoichkov was awarded the Golden Boot in 1990. Also while at CSKA Sofia, he won numerous titles with his club. In 1984-85, Sofia was named Champion of Bulgaria, won the Bulgarian National Cup and the Soviet Army Cup. Two seasons later, he was suspended for the 1985-86 season, Sofia won all three titles again. During the 1987-88 campaign Sofia won the Bulgarian Cup. Sofia completed their domestic "Treble" in 1988-89, and in his last season in Bulgaria they won two titles, the league season and the Soviet Army Cup. After the 1990 season, Barcelona of Spain bought him from Sofia for $4.5 million, at the time becoming the most expensive Bulgarian player in the world, and his tenure at Barcelona would be even greater. During the 1990-91 season, Stoichkov appeared in 24 games, scoring 14 goals. He would win four straight Spanish league titles with Barcelona, starting with the 1990-91 season. During the 1991-92 season Barcelona would win the most prestigious honor in club football in the world, the European Champions Cup (now UEFA Champions League). They would also take home the Spanish SuperCup, Spanish League Championship and European SuperCup, all while Stoichkov appeared in 32 matches, tallying 17 goals. In 1992-93, he appeared in 34 games, scoring 20 goals as Barcelona won the league again and the Spanish SuperCup. The 1993-94 season saw Stoichkov score 16 goals in 34 games. Barcelona would again win the league. 1994-95 would be Stoichkov's last season in the first go-round with Barcelona as he played in 27 games, scoring 9 goals, but was sold to Parma of Italy's Serie "A," at the end of the season despite Barcelona winning the league and the SuperCup again. Parma paid $15 million dollars for Stoichkov, a hefty price tag considering he would only spend one season in Italy. Stoichkov scored five goals for the Italian club, while appearing in 23 games. Barcelona then paid $3.3 million dollars back to Parma to get the fiery Bulgarian. In 1996-97, Stoichkov would appear in 22 matches for Barcelona, scoring 7 times and Barcelona won the Spanish SuperCup, the Spanish King's Cup and the European Cup with Stoichkov back on their side. Things between Stoichkov and Barcelona soured the next season, 97-98, and his contract was terminated on March 13, 1998. Stoichkov went back to Bulgaria to CSKA Sofia and played in four games, scoring two goals. He was loaned to Al Nasr of Saudi Arabia and scored his and their only goal in the Asian Cup Winner Cup to lead them to the 1-0 victory. Stoichkov started the 1998-99 season with CSKA Sofia, but shortly transferred to Kashiwa Reysol of the J-League (Japan). He played in a total of 25 games, scoring 11 goals that season. Some of his other accolades include; Named Top Scorer of the Bulgarian Championship twice in 1989 (23 goals) and 1990 (38 goals)...Holds the record for Top Scorer of the Bulgarian Championship for one season with 38 goals...Named to World Soccer's 50 Greatest Players of the 20th Century...Has 25 goals in UEFA Champions Cup matches...Has 16 goals in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup...Netted seven goals in 20 appearances in the Bulgarian National Cup...Played in 18 matches of the Red Army Cup scoring 14 goals...Appeared in 40 matches of the Spanish King's Cup, netting 20 goals...Scored five goals in eight matches of the Spanish SuperCup...Scored in all three Euro '96 games...Has won a domestic title every year since 1989. "Hristo has been one of the great soccer players in the world the past 10 years," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. "He is a very skilled exciting attacking player that will electrify the crowds at Soldier field and all around Major League Soccer. I am looking forward to watching him work at Soldier Field and for the Chicago Fire."