Chicago Fire sign academy midfielder Sergio Oregel as homegrown player

Chicago Fire have signed academy midfielder Sergio Oregel as a homegrown player ahead of the 2022 season. The deal runs through 2025, with a club option for 2026. 

Oregel is now the Western Conference club’s eighth homegrown player to sign a first-team contract since January 2020.

“Sergio is a talented young midfielder with excellent vision and a strong passion for the game,” Chicago technical director Sebastian Pelzer said in a release. “We look forward to officially welcoming him to the first team and to continue being a part of his development.”

The midfielder originally joined the club as a member of the under-14 side in 2018 before growing within the program. Oregel recently inspired the Fire’s under-19 team to win the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup title this summer, and earned the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player in his age division. 

“I want to say a big thank you to my family, my friends and my coaches who helped me get to this point,” Oregel said. “It’s a dream come true and I’m excited to start playing for my hometown club.”

He’s the second Chicago Fire player to be signed from their winning under-19 team, joining homegrown forward Missael Rodriguez in the first team. 

Chicago Fire’s roster is now made up of 10 total players under that status, including Chris Brady, Javier Casas, Brian Gutierrez and Allan Rodriguez.

Chicago currently sits in 12th place of the Eastern Conference table with 31 points in 31 games. The Fire can no longer qualify to playoffs, closing out their 2021 season on November 7 against the Columbus Crew.

While the Eastern Conference side didn't have the easiest season dealing with the midseason departure of former head coach Raphael Wicky, they are getting a head start at reworking their roster with young new players like Oregel.