The Chicago Fire traded Polish midfielder Peter Nowak to New England exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.
The trade was made at the 5:00 p.m. ET deadline to get under the MLS salary cap.
''This is the most difficult thing I've had to do in my professional life,'' said Fire GM Peter Wilt. ''I feel strongly that Peter Nowak should have retired in a Fire uniform and we considered every option that would have allowed that to happen. Unfortunately, all of the alternatives would have crippled the team and ultimately, we could not do that. I want to thank Peter for all he has done for the team, the organization and the community. Peter reflects everything that the Fire is proud to be. His unbelievable work ethic, leadership and skill are qualities that have made the Fire so respected on the field. His humanitarianism, love of life and affection for the fans made him the team's most popular player.''
The 38-year-old Nowak captained the team to an MLS Cup title in 1998, twoU.S. Open Cup titles (1998 and 2000), two divisional crowns (2000 and 2001), and a final appearance at MLS Cup 2000.
Nowak has been a central figure for the Fire, since joining the team as its first international player on Dec. 16, 1997.
Peter Nowak Career
Team: New England. Pos.: M. Age: 38.
Clubs
Zawisza Bydgoszcz (POL, 1983-84, 1986-90), Motor Lublin (POL, 1984-85), Widzew Lodz (POL, 1985-86), Bakirkoyspor (TUR, 1990-92), Young Boys (SWI, 1992-93), Dynamo Dresden (GER, 1993-94), Kaiserslautern (GER, 1994), 1860 Munich (GER, 1994-97), Chicago Fire (1998-2003), New England Revolution (2003-).
Country
Poland (1990-97, 24 caps)
MLS Career
YEAR TEAM GP G A P
1998 Chicago 24 6 12 24
1999 Chicago 28 6 8 20
2000 Chicago 28 5 14 24
2001 Chicago 18 6 10 22
2002 Chicago 16 3 4 10
MLS Titles
Chicago (MLS, 1998; U.S. Open Cup, 1998, 2000).
MLS Honors
Best XI (1998, 2000, 2001).