Report: Fire lose Maloney to EPL’s Leicester City

Wigan Athletic and Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney was one of the Fire’s first targets this offseason. It doesn’t look like he’ll be their next signing.

Goal.com is reporting that Maloney has chosen to leave Wigan for Leicester City, currently last in the English Premier League and four points from safety. Maloney, 31, was out of contract at the end of the season with Wigan and was expected to leave the club that’s currently in danger of relegation to the third division of English soccer.

The question was where he’d go and whether he’d leave Europe to sign a Designated Player contract with the Fire. Reports linked Maloney to various clubs in England and Scotland, while the Fire’s interest in the attacking midfielder was confirmed in November.

By Monday, there were strong indications that Maloney’s future would be decided soon, and that he was weighing staying in Europe against a lucrative offer from Major League Soccer and the Fire.

Without Maloney, the Fire still have one DP slot left after signing forwards David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike earlier this offseason. The Fire could use that final DP spot to fill needs either in their midfield or back line.