André Franco
Portuguese footballer (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
André Filipe Russo Franco (born 12 April 1998) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | André Filipe Russo Franco[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 April 1998[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Lisbon, Portugal[1] | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Chicago Fire | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2006–2017 | Sporting CP | ||
| 2015–2016 | → Belenenses (loan) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2022 | Estoril | 61 | (13) |
| 2022–2025 | Porto | 49 | (3) |
| 2025 | → Chicago Fire (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2025– | Chicago Fire | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 7 November 2025 | |||
Club career
Estoril
Born in Lisbon, Franco spent almost all of his youth career with local Sporting CP,[2] with one year on loan to neighbouring C.F. Os Belenenses.[3] In 2018 he signed with G.D. Estoril Praia, being assigned to the under-23 team.
Franco made his competitive debut with the main squad on 3 August 2019, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute in a 1–1 away draw against F.C. Paços de Ferreira in the second round of the Taça da Liga (penalty shootout loss).[4] He played his first match in the LigaPro 15 days later, again from the bench, in the 1–2 home loss to S.C. Farense.[5]
In the 2020–21 season, Franco scored once in 20 games to help the club return to the Primeira Liga as champions.[6][7] He made his debut in the competition on 7 August 2021, starting and netting in the 2–0 win at F.C. Arouca.[8] He scored a further ten goals during the campaign, as his team easily avoided relegation;[9] one came in a 2–2 home draw with B-SAD on 24 April in which he, two teammates and as many opponents were sent off in a confrontation at the end.[10]
Porto
On 4 August 2022, Franco joined FC Porto on a five-year contract, for €4 million.[11] He debuted 24 days later in a 3–1 loss at Rio Ave F.C. as a late replacement for Iván Marcano.[12] He scored his first goal on 10 September, coming off the bench to conclude a 3–0 home victory over G.D. Chaves with a close-range deflection.[13]
Franco made a substitute appearance in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, in a 0–0 draw against SE Palmeiras in the group stage.[14] During his spell at the Estádio do Dragão, he totalled 71 games and five goals.[15]
Chicago Fire
On 13 August 2025, Franco moved to the Chicago Fire FC on a season-long loan.[16] He provided two assists on his Major League Soccer home debut to help the hosts to beat the New England Revolution 3–2, and was named the game's MVP.[17]
Franco enjoyed a positive start in Chicago, making four assists in his first five matches.[18] However, on 1 October 2025, on an away fixture at Inter Miami CF, he suffered a serious knee injury.[19] He agreed to a permanent deal on 7 November, signing a contract until 30 June 2028 which could be extended for a further six months;[20] a €750.000 transfer fee was paid, which could rise to €1 million with add-ons in exchange for 50% of his economic rights.[21]
Career statistics
- As of match played 1 October 2025[22]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Estoril | 2019–20 | LigaPro | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21 | Liga Portugal 2 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 24 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22 | Primeira Liga | 33 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 11 | |||
| Total | 61 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 72 | 15 | ||||
| Porto | 2022–23 | Primeira Liga | 17 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 3 |
| 2023–24 | Primeira Liga | 15 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2024–25 | Primeira Liga | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| Total | 49 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 71 | 5 | ||
| Chicago Fire (loan) | 2025 | Major League Soccer | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| Chicago Fire | 2026 | Major League Soccer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career Total | 116 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 20 | ||
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup