Maren Haile-Selassie Bio: Age, Career, Stats, Family & Football
Maren Haile-Selassie is a Swiss professional footballer who plays for Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer. He was born on March 13, 1999, in Zürich, Switzerland. He represents Switzerland through his citizenship and football background.
Haile-Selassie primarily plays as a midfielder or winger. He prefers his right foot and can operate on either flank. His versatility has helped him build a strong professional career across Switzerland and the United States.
As of September 2026, he remains part of the Chicago Fire squad. MLS lists him as a forward, while other football databases classify him as a midfielder.
Who Is Maren Haile-Selassie?
Maren Haile-Selassie is a professional footballer from Zürich. He developed through the youth system of FC Zürich before entering senior football.
He also spent time with FC Volketswil during his youth career. Those early experiences helped him develop before he reached professional football.
Haile-Selassie made his senior debut for FC Zürich in July 2017. He featured in a Swiss Super League match against FC Thun.
Chicago Fire later brought him to Major League Soccer. The club initially signed him on loan from FC Lugano for the 2023 season.
Maren Haile-Selassie Age and Birth Details
Maren Haile-Selassie was born on March 13, 1999. Therefore, he is 27 years old in 2026.
His birthplace is Zürich, Switzerland. He stands around 1.80 meters tall according to current football databases.
He holds Swiss citizenship and also has Ethiopian family heritage. His parents are Ethiopian, giving him a connection to both Swiss and Ethiopian backgrounds.
Maren Haile-Selassie Family and Background
Haile-Selassie was born to Ethiopian parents in Switzerland. However, he has kept many details about his private family life away from the public.
Available football records confirm his Ethiopian family heritage. They also identify him as a former Switzerland youth international.
He has a brother named Kedus Haile-Selassie, who also plays football. Kedus has been associated with SC YF Juventus Zürich.
Therefore, football appears to have played an important role within the family.
Maren Haile-Selassie’s Youth Football Career
Haile-Selassie began his youth career with FC Zürich in 2009. He initially spent several years developing within the club’s youth structure.
He later spent short periods with FC Volketswil. He subsequently returned to FC Zürich and continued his development.
Chicago Fire’s official biography states that he made 65 youth appearances across FC Zürich’s U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21 teams.
That experience prepared him for the demands of senior football.
Maren Haile-Selassie Professional Debut
Haile-Selassie made his professional debut for FC Zürich on July 30, 2017. Zürich defeated FC Thun 2-1 in that Swiss Super League match.
His early professional years involved limited first-team opportunities. Consequently, the club sent him on several loans to gain regular playing time.
These moves became important steps in his development. They gave him experience across different levels of Swiss football.
Loan Spell at Rapperswil-Jona
In January 2019, Haile-Selassie joined FC Rapperswil-Jona on loan.
He made 18 league appearances and scored two goals during his spell. The move provided him with valuable senior experience.
Afterward, he returned to the Swiss football system with another loan move.
Time at Neuchâtel Xamax
Haile-Selassie joined Neuchâtel Xamax on loan for the 2019-20 season.
He made 24 league appearances and scored once during that campaign. He also gained experience playing at a higher level of Swiss football.
The following season brought another loan opportunity.
Maren Haile-Selassie at FC Wil
In 2020, Haile-Selassie joined FC Wil on loan.
He enjoyed an impressive spell with the club. He scored seven goals across 35 league appearances.
That season helped demonstrate his attacking ability. It also increased his experience as an attacking midfielder and winger.
Permanent Move to Neuchâtel Xamax
Haile-Selassie joined Neuchâtel Xamax permanently in 2021.
He made 17 league appearances during the 2021-22 season. He also scored five goals.
His performances attracted attention from FC Lugano, who signed him in December 2021.
Maren Haile-Selassie at FC Lugano
Haile-Selassie joined FC Lugano during the 2021-22 season.
He quickly became part of a team competing at the top level of Swiss football. His time at Lugano also produced one of his biggest career achievements.
On May 15, 2022, Lugano defeated St. Gallen 4-1 in the Swiss Cup final. Haile-Selassie scored during the match.
Therefore, he finished that campaign as a Swiss Cup winner.
He remained with Lugano into the following season. Overall, he made 32 league appearances for the club and scored three goals.
Move to Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Fire acquired Haile-Selassie on loan from Lugano for the 2023 MLS season.
The move represented a major change in his career. He left Swiss football and began competing in Major League Soccer.
He made his Chicago Fire debut against New York City FC on March 4, 2023. The appearance also made him the 250th player to appear in a league match for Chicago Fire.
His first MLS season quickly became a breakthrough campaign.
Maren Haile-Selassie 2023 Season
Haile-Selassie enjoyed an outstanding first season with Chicago Fire.
He appeared in 32 matches and made 20 starts. He scored six goals and provided four assists.
Those six goals made him Chicago Fire’s leading scorer during the 2023 campaign. Consequently, the club awarded him its Golden Boot.
Chicago later exercised its purchase option in November 2023. The decision made his move from Lugano permanent.
Permanent Chicago Fire Transfer
Chicago Fire exercised its option to purchase Haile-Selassie on November 22, 2023.
He officially continued his career with the MLS club after his successful loan spell.
His role has evolved between midfield and attack. Coaches have used his pace, movement, and attacking qualities in different positions.
Transfermarkt currently lists him as a Chicago Fire player through December 31, 2026.
Maren Haile-Selassie 2026 Season
The 2026 season has become another notable chapter in Haile-Selassie’s career.
Opta Analyst reports that he appeared in 24 MLS matches through September 2026. He started 18 of those games and entered six as a substitute.
The same source records eight MLS goals and four assists during the 2026 campaign. His total goal involvements therefore reached 12 in those appearances.
He scored his first MLS goal of the 2026 season against Atlanta United on April 11. Chicago won that match 1-0.
He also scored against New England Revolution on September 13. Chicago lost that match 2-1.
These performances show his continued attacking contribution for Chicago Fire.
Maren Haile-Selassie Playing Position and Style
Haile-Selassie can play in several attacking positions.
His primary roles include right midfield, left midfield, and attacking midfield. MLS also lists him as a forward.
He uses his right foot and can operate from wide areas. This flexibility allows coaches to move him around the attacking line.
His career statistics also show an ability to contribute goals. Furthermore, his 2026 numbers demonstrate his increasing attacking influence.
Maren Haile-Selassie International Career
Haile-Selassie represented Switzerland at youth international level.
He played for the Switzerland U-18, U-19, and U-20 teams. According to available records, he made two U-18 appearances, four U-19 appearances, and six U-20 appearances.
He scored twice for the Switzerland U-20 team. However, he has not established himself as a senior Switzerland international.
His Ethiopian family background also gives him a connection to Ethiopian football heritage.
Maren Haile-Selassie Career Statistics
His professional career has included clubs across several Swiss competitions.
He played for FC Zürich, Rapperswil-Jona, Neuchâtel Xamax, Wil, and FC Lugano. He then moved to Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire.
Before joining Chicago, MLS records show he had made 199 appearances across Swiss competitions and leagues. Those included 63 Swiss Super League appearances and 70 Challenge League appearances.
His MLS career has since added another significant chapter.
Maren Haile-Selassie Achievements
Haile-Selassie has already collected several notable career achievements.
His major honors include:
- Swiss Cup winner with FC Zürich in 2017-18
- Swiss Cup winner with FC Lugano in 2021-22
- Chicago Fire Golden Boot winner in 2023
- Chicago Fire leading scorer in the 2023 campaign
His 2023 Golden Boot became particularly significant. He earned the award during his first season with the club.
What Is Maren Haile-Selassie’s Current Club?
As of September 2026, Maren Haile-Selassie plays for Chicago Fire FC.
Chicago competes in Major League Soccer, the top professional football league in the United States.
MLS lists him as Chicago’s number 7. His current role continues to involve midfield and attacking responsibilities.
What Is Maren Haile-Selassie’s Nationality?
Maren Haile-Selassie is Swiss. He was born in Zürich and represented Switzerland throughout his youth international career.
He also comes from an Ethiopian family background. Therefore, his personal and football identity connects Switzerland with his Ethiopian heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maren Haile-Selassie
How old is Maren Haile-Selassie?
Maren Haile-Selassie is 27 years old in 2026. He was born on March 13, 1999.
Where was Maren Haile-Selassie born?
He was born in Zürich, Switzerland.
What team does Maren Haile-Selassie play for?
He currently plays for Chicago Fire FC in Major League Soccer.
What position does Maren Haile-Selassie play?
He plays mainly as a midfielder or winger. He can operate on either side and also play in attacking areas.
Is Maren Haile-Selassie Swiss?
Yes. He is Swiss and represented Switzerland at U-18, U-19, and U-20 levels.
Are Maren Haile-Selassie’s parents Ethiopian?
Yes. Available club information identifies him as being born in Switzerland to Ethiopian parents.
Has Maren Haile-Selassie won a trophy?
Yes. He won the Swiss Cup with FC Zürich in 2018 and FC Lugano in 2022.
Did Maren Haile-Selassie win an award at Chicago Fire?
Yes. He won the Chicago Fire Golden Boot in 2023 after scoring six league goals.
Conclusion
Maren Haile-Selassie has built his career through persistence, versatility, and regular development. His journey began in Zürich before taking him across Swiss football.
His loan spells helped him gain valuable first-team experience. Later, his performances with Lugano opened the door to Major League Soccer.
His first Chicago Fire season produced six goals and a club Golden Boot. Moreover, his 2026 campaign has brought another strong attacking contribution.
At 27, Haile-Selassie remains an important part of Chicago Fire’s squad. His career continues to develop after a long journey through Swiss and American football.
