The Chicago Fire inked its first international star when it signed veteran Polish midfielder Peter Nowak from German club 1860 Munich in a transfer deal valued at one million marks ($560,000). Nowak, 33, has had more than 100 appearances in the Bundesliga for 1860 Munich, Kaiserslautern and Dynamo Dresden. He also played in Turkey and Switzerland after leaving Poland. He is expected to be the Fire’s playmaker. He helped 1860 Munich finish seventh in the Bundesliga in 1996-97 and earn a berth in the UEFA Cup. “We felt our first international player needed to be a starting point for building the team,” said Fire head coach Bob Bradley. “Peter is experienced as a playmaker and together with his personality and good character, made him the perfect first choice. The soccer community here is very intelligent and we need to bring in a player of real stature, and when people see him on the field they will appreciate and respect his talents.” Nowak has played 24 times for Poland, scoring three goals. He played against the U.S. National Team, coming on as a sub and playing 18 minutes on May 9, 1990 in a 3-1 U.S. win at Hershey Park, Pa. “I am very excited for the opportunity to come to Chicago and play in Major League Soccer,” said Nowak. “When I heard there was a new team in Chicago, given the Polish population here, and when speaking with other players in Germany about the league, I wanted to come to Chicago.” “Bob Bradley is going to play a system that I like to play, attractive attacking soccer with an emphasis on winning. Winning the championship is my goal. I am not coming here just to play. Given the Polish population here in Chicago, the league and the city of Chicago is great for me & my family,” he added.