Arne Friedrich, who has been a long-time German national football team defender, had never been to Chicago, a recent report has uncovered. But, after his recovery from injuries and malaise, the Windy City is not only home to him, but much more.

"I didn't know anything about Chicago. I don't know why. In Germany and Europe, it doesn't have the reputation of New York. Nobody was talking about Chicago", Friedrich was quoted as affirming.

Friedrich has told that he had spent time twice a year in the US during his vacations. But, while he preferred visiting Miami, San Francisco and New York, Chicago never came to his knowledge. It was but his injuries, which forced him to get retirement and visit the place and fall in love with the same.

Chicago is the "Second City" in the US, but people living in Germany and Europe do not consider it worthwhile to visit for. And this might be the reason that Friedrich has never been to the city. However, he is now himself posting that one should visit the city and acknowledge its beauty.

An accomplished German player of the previous decade, 33, now says that the City of Chicago as well as its MLS club named MLS club have revitalized his career.