Once heralded as a potential diamond in the rough when he was signed in the summer of 2016, the Chicago Fire and forward David Arshakyan mutually agreed to terminate the Armenian player’s contract on Monday.
Arshakyan was initially signed upon the recommendation of coach Veljko Paunovic, who was credited with identifying the player. He signed on Aug. 3, 2016, less than two weeks before his 22nd birthday, from Lithuanian club FK Trakai.
The 6-foot-4 forward failed to score in nine games, three starts, in 2016 and saw his playing time diminish in 2017. Arshakyan made seven regular season appearances totaling 27 minutes. His 20-minutes sub appearance in the playoff defeat to the New York Red Bulls was his longest appearance of 2017. He finishes his Fire career without scoring a goal.
“I saw a couple of games that he played,” Paunovic said soon after Arshakyan’s arrival in 2016. “I found him very interesting in terms of his soccer qualities. Of course the profile he has, a big guy who can keep the ball, who can score goals, which is most important for a striker. The profile is something what we need.”
When the Fire picked up Arshakyan’s option this offseason it was seen as a surprise, but things have since changed. General manager Nelson Rodriguez gave a direct comment in the club’s press release about the transaction.
“Despite the best efforts of both sides, these past 16 months did not work out as either would have hoped. We wish David the best of luck as he continues his career,” Rodriguez said.
According to a club source, there was no buyout and the move will not make a hit on the Fire’s salary cap. Arshakyan’s departure will free up an international slot and clear up some cap room. He earned $178,850 in guaranteed compensation 2017, according to the MLS Players Union salary numbers.
Chicago Fire
The Fire are now somewhat thin at forward with Nemanja Nikolic and Luis Solignac the only healthy true forwards on the roster. Solignac players multiple roles in 2017, including playing on the wing. Michael de Leeuw is another option at forward, but is expected to miss the first few months of 2018 after tearing his ACL late in the 2017 regular season. Look for Rodriguez to add a forward, if only for depth, before the new season begins.