Yallop: Fire's Maloney '24 to 48 hours' from joining Hull City

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After being linked with a move overseas, Chicago Fire midfielder Shaun Maloney is on the verge of inking a deal with Hull City.

The Scotland international – after being named to Gordon Strachan’s squad for upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Germany and Georgia – is expected to sign with the English Championship side in the next 24 to 48 hours, Fire head coach Frank Yallop told reporters Monday via teleconference.

"It has not been finalized yet, no," Yallop said. "These things take a little bit. It's coming close to the end of the [English] transfer window."

The move would clear Maloney’s salary - $1.55 million, according to the MLS Players Union – off of the Fire’s cap, freeing up a designated player and international spot on the roster.

"We're going to be fine," Yallop said coyly when asked about the net earnings that would be gained from the negotiations. "It's going to be a good transaction for all parties once it gets done." 

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Injuries and international duty limited the 32-year-old to 14 regular season appearances with the Men in Red, notching three goals and two assists in that span. He also appeared in three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches.

"The reason that Shaun is being sold to Hull is he wanted a move back to be close to his family," Yallop said. "The club, myself and Andrew Hauptman have been very accommodating to make sure that could happen. ... Maybe he didn't quite get the numbers, but when Shaun was on the field for us, I thought we looked a good team. He'll be missed, we've got to replace him, but I didn't want to lose him.

"Maybe the last couple of games his mind was elsewhere, but other than that, I thought he gave everything he could for the team and the club." 

With the MLS summer transfer window closed, the Fire will only be able to sign out-of-contract players until the offseason.

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