Chicago Fire my first choice: Schweinsteiger

German veteran midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has admitted that he turned down offers from Europe and Asia to continue the work he started at Major League Soccer (MLS) club Chicago Fire.

"Of course I had some offers from Europe and Asia," said the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner who joined the MLS club last season, reports Xinhua news agency.

"But for me it was more important to extend the work that we were doing here last season and that's why I always spoke first with Chicago Fire. I want to contribute as much as I can this season."

The former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder still feels thrilled by a season of ambition, excitement and rejuvenation that earned Chicago a third-place finish last year.

"I always combine my personal goals with the goals of the club and the team," the 33-year-old said when asked what his expectations for the new season were.

"I would like our team to improve our game, so it makes it easier for everyone on the field, and of course to reach the playoffs. Last season we were third, so it was a great season, and now we know each other, it's going to be better, but still we have to do our work first.

"The good thing is you can take the experience from last year, how well we played and how poorly we played toward the end of the season, kind of limping into the playoffs, and use that as motivation and fuel to get better," Schweinsteiger said.

--IANS

pur/mr