30 September 2023 , 05:30
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Former Premier League star Ryan Taylor has explained how Manchester United flop Bastian Schweinsteiger inadvertently scuppered his chance of moving to MLS.
The retired defender came agonisingly close to embarking on a dream adventure towards the end of his career after leaving Port Vale in 2017. The set-piece specialist turned out for Newcastle United and Wigan Athletic in the top flight during his pomp but found himself without a club.
However, his luck would soon turn around in the form of the enviable opportunity to move to MLS to join Chicago Fire - or so it seemed. Convinced he was about to put pen to paper on the deal to move Stateside, he then flew out to Illinois as he prepared for a new chapter in his life.
In a scenario that offers real insight into the mercurial nature of transfer dealings, though, his dream of moving to the US would dramatically collapse. Describing how the episode played out, the Liverpool-born ace told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "I was a free agent after my time with Port Vale, so I was looking to try and get a move somewhere.
"I was around 33 or 34 at the time, and I'm not sure how many people know this, but I actually went to Chicago with the intention of moving there. Chicago Fire flew me out and I was basically ready to sign for them.
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"I can't even remember how the move came about, or who sorted it out, but I've gone to Chicago, and after a day or two, I was asking them what was happening, because I was ready to sign a contract."
Alarm bells would suddenly ring for the five-time England youth international, after he was told that the deal was far from a mere formality once he had landed in the US. He continued: "They had a Scottish guy out there who was working on all of the stuff behind the scenes which the manager didn't deal with.
BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS - MAY 25: Bastian Schweinsteiger #31 and Raheem Edwards #7 of Chicago Fire moves to avoid Alexandru Mitrita #28 of New York City near the goal at SeatGeek Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Bridgeview, Illinois. The Fire and NYCFC tied 1-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Jonathan Daniel)"He just comes out and tells me he's not too sure the deal is going ahead". Explaining his thought process at the time, Taylor admitted he was frustrated, saying: "What are you on about? You've flown me over here, you've put a 10-year visa in my passport and you've shown me where my kids are going to go to school."
In the end, the member of staff at the MLS club revealed to him that their owner instead has designs on signing then-Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger. Out of sorts at Old Trafford after failing to impress following his move to England, Chicago Fire would eventually get their man - meaning Taylor's deal would fall through.
His dream of moving to the US was over and he would subsequently embark on a move to the Indian Super League. Explaining how he reacted after missing out on the switch to Chicago, he added: "So I'm just 'like alright, that's fine. No problem. But if he's signing, send me home!'
"'It's nice being here but I'd rather be back home!' Then they went and signed Schweinsteiger. It's fine, you know, he's a massive name and so obviously they're going to take him."