Chicago Fire sign academy midfielder Brian Gutiérrez

Chicago Fire FC’s latest signing won’t have to travel far to officially join the team. After all, he grew up near the club’s training facility at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.

The Fire announced today the club has signed 16-year-old academy midfielder Brian Gutiérrez to a Homegrown Player contract.

Gutiérrez has been a standout in the Fire’s Academy since 2015. This is Chicago’s 16th Homegrown signing in club history. He is under contract through the 2023 season, with an option for 2024.

“Brian is a promising young player who we look forward to working with at the first team level,” Head Coach Raphael Wicky said in a statement. “This signing is a testament to the hard work that Brian, his family and the Fire Academy staff have put in throughout the years.”

Gutiérrez has appeared in 79 Academy matches, with 73 starts. He’s racked up 28 goals and 39 assists.

Chicago Fire FC

“I’m excited for Brian because he’s a talented and creative player,” Chicago Fire FC Academy Technical Director Cedric Cattenoy said via a news release. “He’s improved a tremendous amount over the last two years, and I think he’s going to see continued success in his development within the first team environment.”

Gutiérrez is also a mainstay in the U.S. Boys Youth National Team scene. He had an assist in the finals of the 2019 Nike International Friendlies to lift the U-16 U.S. Boys to a comeback victory over Turkey.