Fire signs Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo

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The Fire signed 27-year-old Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo from Club Deportivo Los Millionarios.

Updated: January 9, 2012 12:00PM

The Chicago Fire announced Monday the signing of Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo from Club Deportivo Los Millionarios. The 27-year-old midfielder joins the Fire from Colombian Liga Postobón.

“Rafael Robayo has an excellent work rate, good defensive energy and will provide support on both sides of the ball,” Fire head coach Frank Klopas said. “Rafael is a sizable player who can get in and create around the box. He will join our core group in preseason camp as we continue to build toward the 2012 campaign.”

A mainstay in the Millionarios lineup, Robayo tallied 187 appearances and 20 goals in league play since joining the Bogota-based side in 2005. The box-to-box midfielder made 11 appearances and scored two goals, including one in the championship series during los Embajadores run to the 2011 Copa Colombia title, the club’s first title since 1988. Additionally, Robayo helped the side to the semifinals of the 2007 Copa Sudamericana, the best finish in club history. Since early 2010, Robayo served as club captain.

Robayo began his career at the age of 16, attending the Escuela de Futbol Vida in Bogota from 2000-02. From there, he signed his first professional contract with Medellin based Club Atletico Nacional where he made one appearance in 2003 before spending the 2004 season with Once Caldas.

Robayo has earned one cap for the Colombian Men’s National Team, coming on as a substitute during a 2-0 victory at Venezuela on September 3, 2010.