Chicago Fire recruit Collins John admits he was happy just to get the contract negotiations out of the way.

The 24-year old former Fulham striker had a topsy-turvy week last week with reports suggesting he had signed, then he hadn't and things were not to his liking but at the end of the day, the contract got signed.

And John was relieved he could now get on with what he does best.

"That's [just part of] football," John said in regards to contract dealings. "You're always bantering about bad things and good things and I was not very happy with how things went but that's personal.

"It was actually not really to do with the Chicago Fire or me; it was just some issues that we got sorted out in the end so I'm glad everything worked out. I'm happy to have signed.

"I'm kind of happy the way everything went [during preseason]," John added. "I had two goals [in the Fire's first preseason friendly] and that gives you confidence as a striker. From then on my confidence has been growing and I think I had a great preseason actually.

"I'm very happy I'm a Chicago Fire player."

Fire veteran Brian McBride, who played with John at Fulham, said he would be a welcome addition to the Chicago playing roster.

"I think he's a very good player," McBride said. "He's someone that's got an abundance of talent. He's strong, he's fast, he's a great finisher and a very exciting player."