Video: Juninho hoping to play his ‘best soccer again' with Fire

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Three MLS Cup titles, two Supporters' Shields, two All-Star Game appearances.

That's the MLS experience that Juninho brings to the Chicago Fire. The Brazilian midfielder was one of the key acquisitions of the Fire's offseason, arriving on loan from Mexican club Tijuana.

On the first day of the Fire's preseason Juninho talked about arriving with the Fire, what it was like playing for Bruce Arena, his coach with the LA Galaxy who is now leading the national team for a second time, and what he expects from the 2017 season.

Juninho was with the Galaxy from 2010-2015 and racked up both team and individual honors. In his lone year in Liga MX with Tijuana, Juninho was a starter at first, but struggled to regain his spot after suffering an injury.

"A lot of people ask me about the Mexican league," Juninho said. "It's different. It's more technical. The league has been for a long time and MLS is still growing, and fast. It was a great experience over there, but now I have to change my mind and have to think about MLS."

He said Fire coach Veljko Paunovic contacted him about joining the Fire and the timing was right for a move.

"I was grateful and I was excited to be a part of the team," Juninho said. "The invitation has come at the right time. I was not playing in Mexico that much. I'm coming here to play my best soccer again."

Juninho will likely play next to another notable offseason acquisition in Dax McCarty. The two went against each other for years in MLS and Juninho called McCarty "a great player."

Both players will be an injection of league experience from players who have succeeded in the league. This role is something the 28-year-old Brazilian said he is hoping will help the Fire this season.

"I played in this league and I won championships and this can count," Juninho said. "Moments like this where I'm one of the veterans on the team, I hope I can help the young players on my team and take the lead and show them the way to go. I hope we can do this together and get our goals."

Watch the video above to see the full interview with Juninho.

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