TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Chicago Fire FC continue to produce professional-level players, announcing Saturday that theyâve signed academy midfielder Sergio Oregel as a homegrown player for the 2022 season.
The 16-year-oldâs deal runs through 2025 with a club option for 2026. Heâs Chicagoâs eighth homegrown player to sign a first-team deal since January 2020, and they currently have 10 such players under contract through the 2022 campaign.
âSergio is a talented young midfielder with excellent vision and a strong passion for the game,â Chicago technical director Sebastian Pelzer said in a release. âWe look forward to officially welcoming him to the first team and to continue being a part of his development.â
Oregel originally joined the Fireâs U-14 side in 2018. He helped their U-19 team win an inaugural MLS NEXT Cup title this past summer, earning the MLS NEXT U-19 Golden Ball award as the tournamentâs best player in his age group.
âI want to say a big thank you to my family, my friends and my coaches who helped me get to this point,â Oregel said. âItâs a dream come true and Iâm excited to start playing for my hometown club.â
The US youth international is the second player Chicago have signed from their MLS NEXT Cup-winning U-19s, as he joins homegrown forward Missael RodrĂguez with the first team.