After a professional playing career spent entirely in Portugal to that point, João Meira arrived in Chicago early in 2016 ready for a new challenge.
On Saturday (Nov. 18), Meira announced on his social media channels that his time as a member of the Fire had come to an end, with an eye toward a return home to Portugal for he and his young family.
In between, Meira established himself as an important cog in Chicago's turnaround from 2016 to 2017, starting 53 of his 58 MLS regular season appearances at centerback (and occasionally in defensive midfield).