Chicago Fire FC sign Slovenian striker Beric from Saint-Etienne

WASHINGTON — Chicago Fire FC announced on Saturday that they have acquired Slovenian striker Robert Beric on a two-year contract from French Ligue 1’s Saint-Etienne.

“We are very excited to add Robert to our roster ahead of the upcoming season,” Chicago coach Raphael Wicky said. “Robert is hard-working, intelligent No 9 who has the ability to score goals at a high rate. We are looking forward to welcoming him and his family to Chicago.”

The 28-year-old Beric comes to the Fire with more than 330 appearances in the top divisions in Slovenia, Austria and France. He has 122 goals in his first-team career, including 12 in the UEFA Europa League and four in the UEFA Champions League. Internationally, Beric has two goals in 25 caps for the Slovenia national team.

“I’m very happy to be in Chicago, and I think this is going to be a great new era for the Fire,” Beric said in a statement. “I am looking forward to getting to work with my new teammates and starting the new season.”

Beric’s most productive club season was his 2014-2015 campaign with Rapid Vienna, when he scored 27 goals in 33 league appearances to finish second in the Austrian league’s golden boot race. More recently, he scored 26 league goals across five seasons for Saint-Etienne.