Chicago Fire sign Philip Zinckernagel to DP contract extension | OneFootball

By Ari Liljenwall

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension

Chicago Fire FC have signed winger Philip Zinckernagel to a new Designated Player contract through the 2027-2028 season, the club announced Wednesday.

The 31-year-old originally joined Chicago from Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge ahead of the 2025 season and has since established himself as one of MLS's premier attacking players, contributing 23g/22a in 62 appearances across all competitions.

His standout production has earned him MLS All-Star honors in each of his first two seasons with Chicago, scoring a goal in this year's showcase at Charlotte FC's Bank of America Stadium.

"Philip has earned this recognition through his performance and the consistency he displays week after week," Chicago director of football and head coach Gregg Berhalter said. "He's been one of the league's most productive attacking players, and his impact on our club has been significant.

"We're pleased to see him rewarded for the contributions he's made, and we look forward to seeing him continue that form."

Zinckernagel's arrival has coincided with a resurgence for Chicago under Berhalter. The Fire returned to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2025, snapping a seven-year drought, and currently sit third in the Eastern Conference in 2026 with 37 points (11W-6L-4D).

Zinckernagel has remained central to that success in 2026, recording 7g/9a in 26 appearances across all competitions.

In 2025, he was named Chicago's team MVP after becoming the first player in club history to record double-digit goals and assists in the same season with 15g/15a. His debut campaign also included a 10-match goal contribution streak, tying the MLS record set by Josef Martínez.

"I'm incredibly grateful to this club for the opportunity to continue demonstrating my commitment to the team, the city and the fans," Zinckernagel said. "Hopefully my play on the field reflects my desire to win championships and achieve great things with the Fire."

Zinckernagel joins superstar striker Robert Lewandowski and forward Jonathan Bamba as Chicago's Designated Players. The Polish international icon arrived this summer following four seasons with Spanish LaLiga giants FC Barcelona. 

With Zinckernagel and Lewandowski leading the attack, Chicago will look to build on their strong start to 2026 as they chase their highest Eastern Conference finish since 2017.

READ MORE: MLS Transfer Tracker