in January 2011. He signed a one-year deal, and made his debut coming on as a second-half substitute for Santiago Silva in a 2–2 draw at Independiente in the first fixture of the 2011 Clausura. Subsequently, he played the starting minutes of the Copa Libertadores debut against Caracas FC, suffering a shoulder injury that left him out for the remainder of the season. Having played less than 30 minutes, he offered the club to terminate his contract, or suspend his salary until he recovered, though Vélez rejected it. He returned for the 2011 Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, entering the field and scoring one goal from a penalty in a 4–2 victory over Libertad. He also played the last 5 games of the 2011 Clausura (one as a starter), helping his team win the Argentine league title. Pachuca On 21 January 2012, he joined Pachuca of the Mexican Primera División. The next season, the Chicago Fire signed him. Chicago Fire Franco signed with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire on 14 September 2012. On 21 January 2013 the club announced Franco's contract option was not picked up for the new season. On 29 January 2013, Franco announced his retirement from football. International career In 2004, Franco became a naturalized Mexican citizen after settling in Mexico in 2002; and made senior national team debut in 2005. Franco played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was a part of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad. During the 2010 World Cup qualification, he contributed two goals in six games. He played in all four matches for Mexico at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In September 2010, Franco announced his retirement from international football. Career statistics Club International International goals Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Franco goal. Honours San Lorenzo Argentine Primera División: 2001 Clausura Copa Mercosur: 2001 Monterrey Mexican Primera División: 2003 Clausura Vélez Sársfield Argentine Primera División: 2011 Clausura Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2009 Individual Mexican Primera División Golden Ball: Clausura 2003 Mexican Primera División Top scorer: 2004 Apertura References External links FootballDatabase.com Profile Argentine Primera statistics at Fútbol XXI 1976 births Living people People from Corrientes Mexican footballers Mexico international footballers Argentine footballers Naturalized citizens of Mexico Argentine emigrants to Mexico Association football forwards Mexican expatriate footballers Argentine expatriate footballers Mexican expatriate sportspeople in England Argentine Primera División players San Lorenzo de Almagro