We let you know about the strong rumors regarding Pavel Pardo last week, but now it's official. The Chicago Fire have announced that they have signed Mexican international midfielder Pavel Pardo to a contract. Pardo was recently allowed to leave Club America ahead of the start of the 2011 Apertura.

The Fire has a history of signing big name Mexican players in order to boost their marketing efforts, though Pardo won't be a bad footballing move either. Cuauhtemoc Blanco became the biggest signing in Fire history back in 2007, and they tried to fill the void he left by signing Nery Castillo last summer. That move didn't work out, leaving the Fire to look for a new Mexican international to add to their roster.

Pardo won't be as flashy of a signing as an attacking midfielder or forward would be, but he's probably a more accomplished player than Blanco, having won a Bundesliga title and 148 Mexico caps.

While the Fire were less in need of a central midfielder than a quality player in any other position, they are very much in need of quality players that will help to get more bodies in seats. Pardo provides that, and in that respect, he should be a very good signing for the Fire, even if they fail to make the playoffs this season.

Correction: This article originally stated that Pardo was a Designated Player. The Fire's press release does not state that Pardo is or is not a DP.