Chicago Fire trade Brandt Bronico to Charlotte FC

The Chicago Fire have traded midfielder Brandt Bronico to Charlotte FC, the club announced today. Bronico’s contract was about to expire, and the Fire had previously announced the club wouldn’t be re-signing him.

As a part of the deal, the two teams will swap fourth-round picks in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. Additionally, a source tells Hot Time Charlotte verbally agreed not to select any Fire players in next year’s expansion draft.

The move puts Bronico closer to home. He grew up in North Carolina, and went to college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Because Charlotte FC doesn’t begin play until 2022, Bronico will likely go out on loan next season, potentially to a club in the USL Championship.

Bronico was originally drafted by the Fire as the No. 47 overall pick in 2017. In four seasons with the team, he made 66 appearances (40 starts), tallying two goals and eight assists.