There was plenty of due diligence on each side when the Fire considered adding forward Collins John to the roster earlier this year.
As the Fire checked out the 24-year-old former English Premier League prodigy, John asked around about the benefits of playing in Chicago and Major League Soccer.
"Grab it," was the response from Americans that John consulted.
The result so far is a promising union and a chance for John to regain the form that made him a star at age 19 before injuries and setbacks stalled his soccer career.
"I'm here and I'm happy," John said. "When I came to the club I felt welcomed straightaway. Obviously a big part was (Fire captain Brian) McBride. I knew him and he's a big player with the group.
"And to be close to someone like that, you're going to fit in much quicker than normally ... and the other guys have been awesome to me too."
To read the rest of this story, visit ChicagoTribune.com
